German word

wider

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈviːdɐ/

Meaning

  • prepositionagainst

Example

Er handelte wider den Rat seiner Freunde.

He acted against his friends' advice.

Illustration for wider (against)

More examples

wider Erwarten blieb alles ruhig.

Contrary to expectations, everything remained quiet.

Core concept

A person pushes forward while facing a force coming from the opposite direction.

Common phrases

  • wider Erwarten

    contrary to expectations

  • wider Willen

    against one's will

  • wider den Rat

    against advice

Similar words

gegen: A preposition marking direct opposition or movement toward an opposing force.
entgegen: A preposition for moving or acting contrary to expectations or an established course.
trotz: A preposition showing that an obstacle or circumstance does not prevent an action.
gegenüber: A preposition describing a position facing someone or something directly.

Definition in German

Den Akkusativ regiert und anzeigt, dass etwas entgegen oder im Gegensatz zu etwas anderem steht.

Word origin

Wider comes from Old High German widar and belongs to the Germanic word family built on the sense of opposition.

Usage tips

  • Wider governs the accusative and is more formal or literary than the common preposition gegen.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word