countermeasure
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countermeasure
An action or procedure taken to cancel out, reduce, or counteract the effect of another, usually negative or unwanted action.
Die Firma ergriff sofortige Gegenmaßnahmen, um den Imageschaden zu begrenzen.
The company took immediate countermeasures to limit the damage to its image.
The word is a clear example of a German compound. It consists of “gegen” (against) and “die Maßnahme” (measure). A “Gegenmaßnahme” (countermeasure) is therefore literally a “measure against” something.
Als Gegenmaßnahme erhöhte die Zentralbank die Zinsen.
As a countermeasure, the central bank raised interest rates.
“Gegenmaßnahme” is very often combined with the verbs “ergreifen” (to take), “einleiten” (to initiate), or “treffen” (to take). The most common and most formal expression is “Gegenmaßnahmen ergreifen” (to take countermeasures).
Die Regierung muss wirksame Gegenmaßnahmen ergreifen, um die Krise zu bewältigen.
The government must take effective countermeasures to deal with the crisis.
To express what the measure is directed against, you use the preposition “gegen” followed by the accusative. For example: “Gegenmaßnahmen gegen den Klimawandel” (countermeasures against climate change).
Welche Gegenmaßnahmen gegen Cybermobbing gibt es an Schulen?
What countermeasures against cyberbullying are there in schools?
reaction
'die Reaktion' and 'die Gegenmassnahme' can both follow an event or problem. However, 'die Reaktion' is more general: it can be a response, a feeling, a statement, or a behavior. 'die Gegenmassnahme' is more targeted and active. It is taken in order to stop, weaken, or balance out something negative. The words can be confused because a countermeasure is also a kind of reaction. But not every reaction is a countermeasure. If someone simply answers or gets upset, it is a 'Reaktion'; if someone deliberately does something to counter it, it is a 'Gegenmassnahme'.
Nach dem Datenproblem plant die Firma mehrere Gegenmassnahmen.
After the data problem, the company is planning several countermeasures.
Die Reaktion der Fahrgäste auf die Verspätung war sehr unterschiedlich.
The passengers' reaction to the delay varied a lot.