enconar

Word: enconar

Meaning:
The verb enconar in Spanish means to inflame or intensify feelings, especially emotions such as anger, resentment, or hatred. It can refer to making a conflict or disagreement more bitter or heated. In a figurative sense, it means to provoke strong hostile feelings or to make a dispute more intense.

Parts:

• en- (prefix): often implies putting into or intensifying
• conar (root/root-like form related to emotions or states, though not commonly used alone)

Usage examples:

• La discusión se enconó después de ese comentario.
  (The argument intensified after that comment.)
• Esta decisión sólo va a enconar aún más a los sectores afectados.
  (This decision will only further inflame the affected groups.)

Synonyms:

• avivar (to kindle, to stir up)
• exacerbar (to exacerbate)
• agravar (to aggravate)
• intensificar (to intensify)
• caldear (to heat up, in context of temper or atmosphere)

Antonyms:

• apaciguar (to pacify)
• aplacar (to calm)
• suavizar (to soften)
• calmar (to calm down)

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In summary, enconar refers primarily to the act of making emotions, discussions, or conflicts more intense or bitter. It is often used in contexts where negativity or hostility grows stronger.