German word

Widerspruch

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈviːdɐˌʃpʁʊx/

Meaning

  • masculine nounopposition

Example

Es gab viel Widerspruch gegen den Plan.

There was a lot of opposition to the plan.

Illustration for Widerspruch (opposition)

More examples

Die Nachbarn erhoben Widerspruch gegen den Bauantrag.

The neighbors raised an objection to the building application.

Core concept

A voice stands against a plan or claim, blocking agreement.

Common phrases

  • einen Widerspruch erheben

    raise an objection

  • auf Widerspruch stoßen

    encounter opposition

Similar words

Einwand: A spoken objection or question raised during a discussion or debate.
Ablehnung: A refusal to accept a proposal, request, or offer.
Protest: Public opposition to an opinion or decision, expressed through words or action.
Einspruch: A formal challenge to an official decision or judgment.

Definition in German

Widerspruch ist der Ausdruck von Ablehnung oder ein Einwand gegen eine Aussage, einen Plan oder eine Entscheidung.

Word origin

Widerspruch comes from the verb widersprechen, formed from wider ('against') and sprechen ('speak'), so it originally meant speaking against something.

Usage tips

  • The formal phrase Widerspruch einlegen means to lodge an objection or appeal, while Widerspruch gegen names what is opposed.

Other meanings

  • objectionnoun
  • protestnoun
  • contradictionnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word