weigern
Translation
to refuse
Examples
Er weigert sich, die Wahrheit zu sagen.
He refuses to tell the truth.
Sie weigerte sich, ihm zu helfen.
She refused to help him.
Grammar Patterns
sichAkk ((to do sth.)) to refuse to do sth. Er weigert sich, die Wahrheit zu sagen.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ablehnen, verweigern; Antonyms: zustimmen, akzeptieren
Etymology
From Old High German 'weigarōn' (to resist), related to 'wīgan' (to fight). The sense is 'to fight against' something.
Memory Tips
Think of 'waving' something away in refusal. It's almost always used reflexively: 'sich weigern'.