anzweifeln
doubt
Nicht sicher sein, ob etwas wahr, richtig oder gut ist.
Definition & meaning
anzweifeln means to doubt something, question its validity, or cast doubt on it. It suggests that someone considers a statement, claim, decision, or fact to be unreliable, incorrect, or not sufficiently proven.
It is often stronger and more active than simply having doubts. When you anzweifeln something, you openly challenge whether it is true or valid.
Examples:
- Ich zweifle seine Aussage an. — I doubt his statement.
- Die Ergebnisse wurden angezweifelt. — The results were questioned.
- Niemand kann seine Kompetenz anzweifeln. — Nobody can question his competence.
Grammar & Word origin
anzweifeln is a separable verb: an + zweifeln. It is derived from der Zweifel , meaning “doubt.”
In a main clause, the prefix separates:
- Sie zweifelt seine Entscheidung an. — She questions his decision.
In the infinitive and past participle, it remains attached:
- seine Entscheidung anzweifeln
- seine Entscheidung angezweifelt haben
The verb usually takes an accusative object:
- etwas anzweifeln — to doubt or question something
This differs from an etwas zweifeln , which uses the preposition an:
- Ich zweifle an seiner Ehrlichkeit. — I doubt his honesty.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- bezweifeln — to doubt; very close in meaning and often interchangeable, though it can sound slightly more neutral or formal.
- hinterfragen — to critically examine or question something; this does not necessarily imply that the thing is false.
- in Frage stellen — to call something into question; often emphasizes challenging its validity, importance, or continued acceptance.
- bestreiten — to deny or dispute something; stronger than anzweifeln, because it usually expresses direct disagreement rather than uncertainty.
Antonyms
- glauben — to believe; expresses acceptance rather than doubt.
- vertrauen — to trust; focuses on confidence in a person, source, or reliability.
- bestätigen — to confirm; actively supports that something is true or correct.
- anerkennen — to acknowledge or recognize something as valid, legitimate, or worthy of acceptance.
Common phrases & collocations
- eine Aussage anzweifeln — to doubt a statement
- die Glaubwürdigkeit anzweifeln — to question someone’s credibility
- die Ergebnisse anzweifeln — to question the results
- die Echtheit anzweifeln — to doubt the authenticity
- etwas ernsthaft anzweifeln — to seriously question something
- nicht anzweifeln — not to doubt something
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Examples
Niemand darf meine Aussagen anzweifeln.verb
No one may doubt my statements.
Hast du jemals die Ergebnisse dieser Studie angezweifelt?verb
Have you ever doubted the results of this study?
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