erwidert

Erwidert is a German verb meaning to reply, to counter, or to retort, especially in the sense of answering an argument, claim, or accusation. The form erwidert commonly appears as the past participle, used with the auxiliary haben to form the perfect tense, as in Er hat darauf erwidert. In everyday usage the verb follows standard German conjugation patterns for weak verbs, and its use is more common in formal writing, journalism, law, and literature than in casual speech.

In practice, erwidern connotes a deliberate or argumentative response rather than a simple answer. It is often employed when a counterargument or rebuttal is intended. The noun form for the act of replying is Erwiderung, and a closely related term with a similar sense is die Widerrede.

Usage and nuance: Erwidern emphasizes a response directed at a specific objection or criticism, and it can carry a formal or polemical tone. It is typically found in contexts where a speaker or writer seeks to counter or refute an assertion with reasons or evidence, rather than merely state a fact.

Related terms: Erwiderung (a reply or counterargument), Widerrede (a formal or literary counterargument), Antwor t or Antwort (more neutral terms for a reply). In contemporary German, erwidert or erwidert may appear in various tenses depending on the sentence, with the perfect form often appearing as hat erwidert.

See also: Erwiderung, Widerrede, Antwort.