wider
Translation
against, contrary to
Examples
Er handelte wider den Befehl.
He acted against the order.
Das ist wider die Natur.
That is against nature.
Wider Erwarten hat er gewonnen.
Contrary to expectations, he won.
Grammar Patterns
wider+4 against sth. He acted against the order.
Similar Words
Synonyms: gegen (more common); Antonyms: für (for), mit (with)
Etymology
From Old High German 'widar' (against). Cognate with the 'with-' in 'withstand'.
Memory Tips
The prefix 'wider-' always implies opposition. Think of 'wider' as a more formal or literary version of 'gegen' (against).