German word

trotzen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtʁɔt͡sn̩/

Meaning

  • verbdefy

Example

Jugendliche trotzen oft den Regeln.

Young people often defy the rules.

Illustration for trotzen (defy)

More examples

Die alten Bäume trotzen dem Wind.

The old trees withstand the wind.

Core concept

Someone stands firm against pressure, showing deliberate stubbornness rather than quietly enduring it.

Common phrases

  • einem Verbot trotzen

    defy a ban

  • den Eltern trotzen

    defy one's parents

  • dem Druck trotzen

    withstand pressure

Similar words

widerstehen: Firm resistance to outside pressure or temptation.
sich widersetzen: Clear opposition to an order, decision, or policy.
sich verweigern: Intentional refusal to perform a requested or required action.
sich auflehnen: Rebellious opposition to authority or control.

Definition in German

trotzen bedeutet, einer Autorität oder einem Umstand nicht nachzugeben und stattdessen dagegenzuhalten.

Word origin

Trotzen is formed from the German noun Trotz and retains its basic sense of defiant resistance.

Usage tips

  • The dative appears with both people and things, as in jemandem or einem Umstand trotzen.

Other meanings

  • resistverb
  • withstandverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Trotzdefiancenoun
  • trotzigdefiantadjective
  • Trotzigkeitdefiantnessnoun

Word lists with this word