widerstehen
to resist
To successfully defend oneself against pressure, an attack, or a temptation and not give in.
EXAMPLE
Ich konnte dem Stück Schokoladenkuchen einfach nicht widerstehen.
I simply couldn't resist the piece of chocolate cake.
widerstehen
to resist
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Meanings
widerstehen
to disgust
To cause disgust, revulsion, or strong aversion in someone. This meaning is elevated and less common.
EXAMPLE
Seine arrogante Art widersteht mir zutiefst.
His arrogant manner deeply disgusts me.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'widerstehen' (to resist) is inseparable. The prefix 'wider-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'stehen' (to stand) in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Sie widerstand der Versuchung, noch ein Stück Torte zu essen.
She resisted the temptation to eat another piece of cake.
Word structure
The word is made up of 'wider' (against) and 'stehen' (to stand). The literal meaning is therefore 'to stand against something' and describes an act of resistance.
EXAMPLE
Die kleine Firma konnte dem Druck der großen Konkurrenz nicht lange widerstehen.
The small company could not resist the pressure from the large competition for long.
Use with dative
In the meaning 'to defend oneself/resist', 'widerstehen' always takes the dative. You resist 'jemandem' (someone) or 'etwas' (something).
EXAMPLE
Der Sportler widerstand dem Schmerz und lief weiter.
The athlete resisted the pain and kept running.
Sentence structure for aversion
In the rare meaning 'to cause revulsion', the sentence structure changes: the thing that triggers disgust is the subject, and the person who feels the disgust is in the dative. This use is very elevated.
EXAMPLE
Diese Art von Heuchelei widersteht mir zutiefst.
This kind of hypocrisy deeply disgusts me.
Compare with
widerstehen vs wehren
to defend oneself
Sich wehren and widerstehen can both be used when someone actively resists an unwanted influence. Sich wehren emphasizes fighting back or defending oneself, while widerstehen highlights that someone does not give in to pressure or temptation. Choose widerstehen when the successful outcome is important.
widerstehen
Sie widerstand der Versuchung und unterschrieb den Vertrag nicht.
She resisted the temptation and did not sign the contract.
wehren
Sie wehrte sich gegen den Druck ihrer Freunde, sofort zu unterschreiben.
She stood up to her friends' pressure to sign immediately.
In real life
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