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Kriegsdienstverweigerer

conscientious objector

noun KREEKS-deenst-fer-vay-ge-rer Rare
People & Society Military

Usage Note

Kriegsdienstverweigerer is someone who refuses military service on grounds of conscience. In Germany this right was guaranteed by the Grundgesetz; with the suspension of conscription in 2011 the formal application process became less relevant.

Examples

"Als Kriegsdienstverweigerer leistete er stattdessen Zivildienst ab."

Natural Translation

As a conscientious objector he completed civilian service instead.

Literal Translation

As war-service-refuser completed he instead civilian-service.

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