verweigern
Translation
to refuse, to deny, to decline
Examples
Er verweigerte die Aussage.
He refused to testify.
Man hat ihm das Visum verweigert.
He was denied the visa.
Grammar Patterns
((j-m)) ((et4)) verweigern to deny (sb.dat) (sth.acc) They denied him the visa.
((et4)) verweigern to refuse (sth.acc) He refused to testify.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ablehnen (to reject), abschlagen (to turn down); Antonyms: zustimmen (to agree), gewähren (to grant)
Etymology
From the prefix `ver-` (often with a negative or oppositional sense) plus `weigern` (to refuse).
Memory Tips
The `ver-` prefix often implies a mistake or negation. Combine this with `weigern` (to refuse) to get the meaning of a firm denial.