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
Comes from the prefix 'er-' plus 'wehren' (to defend). Used to mean defending oneself, often against something overwhelming.
Memory Tips
This is a reflexive verb: 'sich erwehren'. It's often used in the negative to mean you can't help something, like 'sich eines Gedankens nicht erwehren können' (can't help thinking something).