Vocabulary
wider
/ˈviːdɐ/· preposition
against, contrary to (+ accusative; formal)
Wider — a formal, rather literary "against" that lives mostly in fixed phrases: wider Erwarten (contrary to expectations), wider Willen, wider besseres Wissen, das Für und Wider. Don't confuse it with wieder (again).
CEFR B2Frequency ●●●●●
Your memory
New
Learning
Familiar
Strong
Mastered
Forms
- nicht verwechseln
- wieder (mit ie) = again: Sie kommt morgen wieder.
One word, many lives
Tap a meaning. Real German isn't a dictionary translation.
wider
contrary to, against (+ accusative)
Wider Erwarten hat unsere Mannschaft das Spiel gegen den Tabellenführer gewonnen.
Contrary to expectations, our team won the match against the league leaders.
Word family
widerwidersprechento contradictder Widerstandresistancedie Widerredeobjection, back talkwiderlichdisgusting
Common combinations
- wider Erwartencontrary to expectations
- wider Willenagainst one's will, despite oneself
- wider besseres Wissenagainst one's better judgement
- das Für und Widerthe pros and cons
Similar & opposite
≈ Synonyms
gegenentgegen
Common learner mistakes
- wieder Erwartenwider Erwartenwider (no e) means against; wieder with ie means again – they sound the same.
Real examples
- Er hat den Vertrag wider besseres Wissen unterschrieben, obwohl ihn sein Anwalt gewarnt hatte.He signed the contract against his better judgement, although his lawyer had warned him.
- Bevor wir uns entscheiden, sollten wir das Für und Wider gründlich abwägen.Before we decide, we should carefully weigh up the pros and cons.
- Wider Willen musste sie zugeben, dass ihr der Film am Ende doch gefallen hatte.Despite herself, she had to admit that she had liked the film in the end after all.
