verweigern

refuse

verb fer-VAI-gern Less Common

Also means

deny

Usage Note

verweigern is inseparable and takes the thing refused in the accusative and the person in the dative: Er verweigert mir die Hilfe. It is firmer and more formal than ablehnen, often implying a flat refusal of duty or a right. The participle is verweigert.

Examples

"Er verweigert die Antwort."

Natural Translation

He refuses to answer.

Literal Translation

He refuses the answer.

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