to counteract
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to counteract
To actively work against a negative development, a force, or an influence in order to weaken or prevent its effect.
Die Zentralbank versucht, der steigenden Inflation mit Zinserhöhungen entgegenzuwirken.
The central bank is trying to counteract rising inflation with interest rate increases.
'Entgegenwirken' (to counteract) is a separable verb. In main clauses, the prefix 'entgegen' comes at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Regierung wirkt der Krise mit neuen Maßnahmen entgegen.
The government is counteracting the crisis with new measures.
This verb is always used with the dative. You counteract 'etwas' (something) or 'jemandem' (someone). The thing you are working against is in the dative.
Wir müssen dem Klimawandel aktiv entgegenwirken.
We must actively counteract climate change.
The word consists of the preposition 'entgegen' (against/toward) and the verb 'wirken' (to have an effect). So it literally means to exert an effect against something.
Um der Müdigkeit entgegenzuwirken, trank er einen starken Kaffee.
To counteract his tiredness, he drank a strong coffee.
to combat
Bekämpfen takes active measures directed directly against a problem and is used with an accusative object. Entgegenwirken takes the dative and is directed against a negative development or effect in order to weaken or prevent it. When referring to a development, entgegenwirken is often more precise.
Das neue Medikament wirkt der Ausbreitung der Entzündung entgegen.
The new medication counteracts the spread of the inflammation.
Das neue Medikament bekämpft die Entzündung gezielt.
The new medication specifically combats the inflammation.
