erwehren
Translation
to defend oneself against, to resist, to refrain from
Examples
Er konnte sich des Lachens nicht erwehren.
He couldn't help laughing.
Sie erwehrte sich der Angriffe.
She defended herself against the attacks.
Grammar Patterns
sich ((sth.gen)) erwehren to defend oneself against sth. He couldn't help laughing (lit. defend himself against the laughter).
sich ((gegen+acc)) erwehren to defend oneself against sth. She defended herself against the attacks.
Similar Words
Synonyms: sich verteidigen, widerstehen
Etymology
From the prefix 'er-' and 'wehren' (to defend, to resist). It's an intensified form of 'wehren'.
Memory Tips
Almost always used reflexively: 'sich erwehren'. Remember the classic, though somewhat archaic, construction with the genitive case: 'sich des Lachens nicht erwehren können' (to not be able to help laughing).