VocabuoDictionaryGet the app
verb

verschmähen

spurn

Definition & meaning

The verb verschmähen means to reject, scorn, or spurn something, typically an offer, a gift, or an invitation. It implies a sense of disdain or contempt, suggesting that the person rejecting the item feels it is beneath them or unworthy of their acceptance.

  • Refusing out of disdain: To reject something because one believes it is not good enough or is offensive to one's standards (e.g., "Er verschmähte das einfache Essen" - He scorned the simple food).
  • Rejecting an offer: To turn down a proposal or a gesture, often with an air of superiority.

Grammar & Word origin

verschmähen is a weak, transitive verb.

  • Grammar: It requires the accusative case (e.g., "jemanden/etwas verschmähen").
  • Origin: The word is composed of the prefix ver- (indicating a negative or destructive action) and the Middle High German smehen (meaning to insult, humiliate, or belittle). It is etymologically related to the word Schmäh (insult/slur).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • ablehnen
  • zurückweisen
  • verachten
  • verschmähen (as a reflexive or related nuance)
  • ausschlagen

Antonyms

Make “verschmähen” part of your vocabulary.

Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Get Vocabuo on the App StoreGet Vocabuo for Android

Examples

Er verschmäht das Angebot.verb

He spurns the offer.

Keep exploring German

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play