Unusual, but useful Spanish verbs (Level 3)

solventar

to settle, resolve, or successfully clear up a financial debt or complex problem

tergiversar

to distort, twist, or misrepresent facts, words, or information

gesticular

to gesture, make faces, or use hand movements while speaking

dilatar

to prolong, delay, or drag out a process or physical tissue

inmutarse

to bat an eye, show emotion, or get fazed by shocking news

(usually used negative: no se inmutó)

dignarse

to deign or condescend to do something (e.g., por for se dignó a llamar)

zafarse

to slip away, untangle oneself, or get out of an obligation or physical grip

desvivirse

to go above and beyond, or do anything absolutely possible for someone else

aminorar

to lessen, reduce, or slacken speed, intensity, or a physical force

vislumbrar

to glimpse, catch sight of, or faintly discern something in the distance or future

acrecentar

to increase, augment, or enrich a feeling, fortune, or reputation

conllevar

to imply, entail, or involve a specific risk, cost, or consequence

escudriñar

to scrutinize, peer into, or examine something with intense detail

encubrir

to cover up, hide, or conceal a mistake, crime, or secret

fraccionar

to divide, split up, or break something down into smaller installments or fractions

golosinear

to snack on sweets, nibble on junk food, or graze between meals

amoldarse

to adapt, conform, or mold oneself to fit a new situation or rules

cercarse

to hem oneself in, or block yourself off from others

regodearse

to gloat, revel, or take smug pleasure in your own success or someone else’’s failure

reprocharse

to blame yourself, feel remorse, or constantly second-guess your own actions (me :D)

apremiar

to urge, press, or rush someone because a deadline is looming

coaccionar

to coerce, pressure, or force someone to do something against their will

menguar

to wane, diminish, or dwindle

vaticinar

to predict, forecast, or prophesy a future outcome

hurgar

to poke around, rummage through, or dig into a drawer, bag, or mess

abalanzar

to fling or push something forward (or abalanzarse: to pounce/lunge)

tragar

to swallow, gulp down, or physically ingest food or drink

rebuscar

to search thoroughly, hunt for, or fish around for a hidden item

codearse

to rub shoulders, mingle, or socialize with influential or specific groups

encapricharse

to become obsessed with, infatuated with, or fixated on getting a specific object or person

apegarse

to become deeply attached, emotionally dependent, or devoted to something or someone

adueñarse

to take ownership of, seize control of, or monopolize a space, conversation, or object

abalar

to shake, destabilize, or disturb the peace or structural balance of something

clasificar

to sort, categorize, or grade items systematically by type or quality

agravar

to worsen, aggravate, or make a bad situation or medical symptom more severe

gestar

to brew, develop, or incubate an idea, plan, or medical condition over time