verweigern
Translation
to refuse, to deny, to decline
Examples
Er verweigerte die Aussage.
He refused to testify.
Man hat ihm die Einreise verweigert.
He was denied entry.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to refuse sth. He refused to testify.
((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to deny sb. sth. They denied him entry.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ablehnen, abschlagen; Antonyms: genehmigen, gewähren, erlauben
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (often with a negative or completing sense) and 'weigern' (to refuse). 'Weigern' itself is related to the English word 'waive'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'ver-' as an intensifier for 'weigern' (to refuse). Imagine someone forcefully 'waiving' away a request.