German Conversation · Level 102
57 words
German word
verwehren
Pronunciation
IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈveːʁən/
Meaning
- verbdeny
Example
Die Regierung verwehrt den Flüchtlingen Asyl.
The government denies the refugees asylum.
More examples
Man verwehrt ihm seit Jahren jede Unterstützung.
People have been denying him any support for years.
Core concept
A gatekeeper holds back a requested benefit or permission at the point of access.
Common phrases
den Zugang zu etwas verwehren
deny access to something
jemandem Hilfe verwehren
deny someone assistance
Similar words
ablehnen: To turn down a proposal, offer, or invitation.
verweigern: To refuse to perform an action that someone has requested.
zurückweisen: To dismiss a claim or demand as unacceptable.
verbieten: To ban an action under a law or rule.
Definition in German
jemandem etwas verwehren bedeutet, jemandem Zugang, Leistung oder Erlaubnis nicht zu gewähren.
Word origin
Verwehren combines ver- with wehren, an old Germanic verb meaning to ward off or defend, and came to express withholding access or a benefit.
Usage tips
- The denied person usually takes the dative and the withheld thing the accusative, as in jemandem etwas verwehren.