verschweigen

Meaning (English)

verschweigen means to keep something quiet, to conceal something by not mentioning it, or to withhold information deliberately. It implies that something is not said on purpose, often to hide it or avoid consequences.

Examples of meanings:

• to conceal / to keep secret (by silence): not telling someone an important fact
• to omit deliberately: leaving something out intentionally when speaking or reporting

Parts / Structure

• Prefix: ver-
  Often adds a sense of doing something in a certain (often negative or consequential) way.
• Base verb: schweigen = to be silent
  So verschweigen is essentially “to silence something” in the sense of not revealing it.

German Synonyms

Depending on context:

• verheimlichen (to conceal, keep secret)
• geheim halten (to keep secret)
• nicht erwähnen (not to mention)
• zurückhalten (to withhold information)
• unter den Tisch fallen lassen (to let something slide, not bring it up)
• totschweigen (to hush up, cover up by silence; stronger)

German Antonyms

• gestehen (to confess)
• zugeben (to admit)
• offenlegen (to disclose)
• enthüllen (to reveal)
• verraten (to betray/reveal a secret)
• erzählen / mitteilen (to tell / to communicate)
• erwähnen (to mention)

Notes on usage

• Typically used with a direct object:
  etwas verschweigen = “to conceal something / keep something quiet”
• The meaning is usually intentional omission, not accidental forgetting.