verb
to refuse, to reject
B1
'ablehnen' means 'to refuse' or 'to reject'. It's a separable verb (prefix 'ab-') and a regular weak verb: Partizip II 'abgelehnt', auxiliary 'haben'. Non‑reflexive and not modal. In main clauses the prefix separates ('Ich lehne das ab'); in infinitive or perfect it stays attached ('abgelehnt').
Examples
Der Richter lehnte den Antrag ab.
The judge rejected the application.
Er lehnte den Vorschlag ab.
He rejected the proposal.
Der Rat lehnte den Antrag ab, weil die Kosten zu hoch waren.
The council rejected the proposal because the costs were too high.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture pushing something away with your hand — you 'reject' it (ablehnen).
Sounds like 'a-bleh-nen' — imagine saying 'bleh' to refuse something.
Notes
Ablehnen is separable (lehnt ab). Commonly used for refusing offers or rejecting applications. The past participle is 'abgelehnt'.