widerspenstig
defiant
Resisting instructions, rules, or the will of others, and difficult to guide or control.
EXAMPLE
Das widerspenstige Kind weigerte sich, ins Bett zu gehen.
The defiant child refused to go to bed.
widerspenstig
unruly
widerspenstig – widerspenstiger – am widerspenstigsten
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Meanings
widerspenstig
unruly
Difficult to shape, tame, or work with; stubborn or hard to handle.
EXAMPLE
Das widerspenstige Haar ließ sich trotz mehrmaligen Bürstens nicht bändigen.
The unruly hair could not be tamed despite being brushed several times.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry widerspenstig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | widerspenstig |
|---|---|
| comparative | widerspenstiger |
| superlative | am widerspenstigsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to widerspenstig.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to widerspenstig.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to widerspenstig.
Usage tips
Context clue
When referring to people or animals, „widerspenstig“ (defiant/unruly) usually describes behavior in response to instructions or attempts at control. When referring to hair, curls, or materials, it describes something that is difficult to shape or tame.
EXAMPLE
Der widerspenstige Hund ließ sich nicht an die Leine nehmen.
The unruly dog could not be put on a leash.
Ihre widerspenstigen Locken standen in alle Richtungen ab.
Her unruly curls stuck out in every direction.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, „widerspenstig“ (defiant) is often used with people and their behavior. Typical collocations include „ein widerspenstiges Kind“ (a defiant child), „sich widerspenstig zeigen“ (to be defiant), and „widerspenstiges Verhalten“ (defiant behavior).
EXAMPLE
Der widerspenstige Schüler wollte die Anweisungen des Trainers nicht befolgen.
The defiant student did not want to follow the coach's instructions.
Difficult to tame
In this meaning, „widerspenstig“ (unruly) often describes hair, curls, or material that cannot easily be brought into the desired shape when being styled or worked with.
EXAMPLE
Das widerspenstige Material machte die Reparatur deutlich schwieriger.
The unruly material made the repair considerably more difficult.
In real life
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