abstreiten

/ˈapˌʃtʁaɪ̯tn̩/

verb B2

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: streitet ab
past: stritt ab
perfect: hat abgestritten

Meaning

to deny

Built from ab (off, away) + streiten (to argue).
- Er streitet die Tat ab.
  
  He denies the deed.
- Der Angeklagte streitet die Tat ab. Er sagt, er sei zu der Zeit gar nicht dort gewesen.
  
  The defendant denies the deed. He says he was not even there at the time.

Made of

ab off, away
streiten to argue

Similar words

leugnen

Abstreiten is denying a specific accusation in conversation; leugnen is more formal, used for denying guilt, an allegation, or even historical facts.

Similar in other languages

Portuguese

desmentir

desmentir is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to deny."

Portuguese

negar

negar is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to deny."

Practice

1 What does abstreiten mean?

2 Fill the gap: Er ___ die Tat ab.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches abstreiten?

verbirregularseparablecompound

Last updated 2026-09-24