German word

abwehren

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapˌveːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbbrush off

Example

Sie wehrt die Vorwürfe ab.

She brushes off the accusations.

Illustration for abwehren (brush off)

More examples

Das Immunsystem wehrt die Krankheitserreger ab.

The immune system repels pathogens.

Core concept

A defensive barrier stops something harmful and sends it back, whether the threat is physical or verbal.

Common phrases

  • Cyberangriffe abwehren

    repel cyberattacks

  • einen Übergriff abwehren

    repel an assault

  • feindliche Übernahme abwehren

    repel a hostile takeover

Similar words

abweisen: Turn away an offer or request without agreeing to it.
zurückweisen: Reject an accusation or claim as false and refuse to accept it.
abblocken: Brush off an attack or question with a verbal response.
ablehnen: Politely refuse a request or proposal.

Definition in German

Aktiv etwas abweisen oder abblocken, damit es nicht wirkt oder Schaden verursacht.

Word origin

The verb is formed from ab- 'away' and the inherited Germanic verb wehren 'defend' or 'resist', giving the sense of driving something off.

Usage tips

  • Abwehren suggests active resistance to a threat or accusation, whereas ablehnen more generally means to reject an offer, request, or proposal.

Other meanings

  • ward offverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Abwehrsystemdefense systemnoun
  • Abwehrmaßnahmedefensive measurenoun

Word lists with this word