entgegnet

Entgegnen is a German verb meaning to answer, to respond, or to counter a statement. It is used when someone replies to a claim or remark, often with a counterargument or rebuttal. The term can express a direct response to a question or the act of opposing or meeting an assertion with a counterpoint. It is common in formal writing as well as in everyday speech.

Etymology and forms: The verb is formed with the prefix ent- and the stem entgegen, conveying the sense of moving toward an opposing position, i.e., to meet a statement with a response. Infinitiv: entgegnen; Partizip II: entgegnet. Konjugation (present): ich entgegne, du entgegnetest, er entgegnet, wir entgegnen, ihr entgegnet, sie entgegnen. (Past tense forms include: ich entgegnete, du entgegnetest, er entgegnete, wir entgegneten, ihr entgegnetet, sie entgegneten; Partizip II remains entgegnet.) In usage, entgegnen can pair with a direct quotation or with a clause introduced by dass, ob, or a question.

Usage and nuance: Entgegnen often conveys a direct, argumentative reply or a counterargument in discussion, debate, or interrogation. It is somewhat more formal than simply antworten and especially appropriate when presenting a counterpoint to a specific assertion. Synonyms include widersprechen, antworten, or kontern, though entgegnen emphasizes a direct response to an opponent’s point.

Beispiele: Auf den Vorwurf entgegnete der Sprecher, die Maßnahmen seien sorgfältig geplant. Sie entgegnete: „Das ist nicht korrekt.“ In formeller Debatte entgegnet der Redner dem Gegenargument mit einer detaillierten Begründung.