der Widerruf, -e
revocation
Eine Erklärung, mit der man sagt, dass man eine vorherige Zustimmung oder Entscheidung nicht mehr gelten lassen will.
Definition & meaning
Widerruf is a masculine German noun: der Widerruf (plural: die Widerrufe).
It means revocation, withdrawal, or cancellation, especially when someone takes back a previous statement, decision, permission, or contractual declaration.
Main uses:
-
Taking back a statement or public claim
A person formally declares that a previous statement is no longer valid.- Der Widerruf einer falschen Behauptung = the retraction of a false claim
-
Withdrawal from a contract or purchase
In consumer law, a Widerruf is the exercise of the legal right to cancel certain contracts, particularly online or distance purchases.- Ich erkläre den Widerruf des Vertrags. = I hereby withdraw from the contract.
-
Revocation of permission or authorization
A permission, consent, or authorization is withdrawn.- der Widerruf der Einwilligung = the withdrawal of consent
Grammar & Word origin
- Gender: masculine
- Article: der
- Plural: die Widerrufe
- Verb: = to revoke, withdraw, or retract
- Past participle: widerrufen
- Related noun: = the right of withdrawal
The word consists of wider- and Ruf . Historically, it expresses the idea of “calling back” something that was previously declared or granted. The prefix wider- here means “back” or “against,” rather than simply “again.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- — withdrawal or taking back; broader and often less formal than Widerruf
- — withdrawal; commonly used for applications, offers, or proposals
- die Aufhebung — annulment or cancellation; usually refers to officially abolishing a rule, decision, or legal effect
- — annulment or cancellation; often suggests that something is declared invalid
- — correction or rectification; used when a previous statement is corrected rather than formally revoked
- — taking back; a general expression for withdrawing something
Antonyms
There is no single exact antonym in every context. Depending on the situation, possible opposites include:
- — confirmation of a previous statement or decision
- — approval or authorization, as opposed to withdrawing permission
- — agreement or consent
- — maintaining something in force instead of revoking it
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Der Widerruf kam überraschend spät an.noun
The revocation arrived unexpectedly late.
Nach dem Widerruf galt der Vertrag nicht mehr.noun
After the revocation, the contract was no longer valid.
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