to revoke
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to revoke
To declare an official statement, order, offer, or contract invalid and withdraw it. This usually happens in writing and has legal consequences.
Sie können den online geschlossenen Vertrag innerhalb von 14 Tagen ohne Angabe von Gründen widerrufen.
You can revoke the contract concluded online within 14 days without giving reasons.
to retract
To take back an earlier statement, confession, or claim as false or untrue. This often happens in a formal context, such as in court.
Unter Druck widerrief der Zeuge seine ursprüngliche Aussage.
Under pressure, the witness retracted his original statement.
The word consists of the prefix 'wider' (against) and the verb 'rufen' (to call). So, figuratively, you 'call' 'against' an earlier statement or a contract and thereby declare it invalid.
Er musste seine Behauptung öffentlich widerrufen.
He had to publicly retract his claim.
'Widerrufen' is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'wider-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses. The past participle is therefore formed without 'ge-': 'hat widerrufen' (has revoked/retracted).
Ich habe meine Bestellung gestern widerrufen.
I revoked my order yesterday.
The verb 'widerrufen' requires an accusative object. You always revoke or retract 'something'.
Der Kunde wollte den Kaufvertrag widerrufen.
The customer wanted to revoke the purchase contract.
In legal and business contexts, the verb is often combined with words such as 'Vertrag' (contract), 'Bestellung' (order), 'Angebot' (offer), or 'Einwilligung' (consent).
Sie hat ihre Einwilligung zur Datennutzung widerrufen.
She revoked her consent to the use of her data.
to pick up / keep / cancel
Aufheben and widerrufen can both end the validity of an earlier decision or statement. Aufheben generally refers to putting something out of force. Widerrufen, by contrast, emphasizes that a previously issued statement, order, offer, or contract is withdrawn by a person authorized to do so.
Die Behörde widerrief ihre frühere Erklärung schriftlich.
The authority revoked its earlier statement in writing.
Die Behörde hob ihre frühere Entscheidung auf.
The authority overturned its earlier decision.
