to push back / curb
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to push back
To move someone or something back to an earlier place or starting position using force or pressure.
Die Polizei musste die neugierige Menschenmenge vom Unfallort zurückdrängen.
The police had to push back the curious crowd from the scene of the accident.
to curb
To reduce or suppress the influence, spread, or intensity of something.
Durch neue Maßnahmen versucht die Regierung, die Arbeitslosigkeit zurückzudrängen.
Through new measures, the government is trying to curb unemployment.
'Zurückdrängen' (to push back/curb) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zurück-' comes at the end in a main clause. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' comes between the prefix and the verb.
Die Feuerwehr drängte das Feuer erfolgreich zurück.
The fire department successfully pushed the fire back.
The verb is made up of 'zurück' (back) and 'drängen' (to push, to press). Its meaning is therefore often literal: to push something or someone backward.
Die Wellen drängten das kleine Boot an die Küste zurück.
The waves pushed the small boat back toward the coast.
The meaning depends on the object. If it is about physical things or people, such as 'Menschenmenge' (crowd) or 'Gegner' (opponent), the literal meaning is intended. With abstract concepts, such as 'Einfluss' (influence) or 'Krankheit' (disease), the figurative meaning is intended.
Die Sicherheitskräfte drängten die Fans zurück.
The security forces pushed the fans back.
In the figurative meaning, 'zurückdrängen' (to curb) is often used with negative, abstract nouns. Typical examples are: 'den Einfluss zurückdrängen' (to curb influence), 'die Kriminalität zurückdrängen' (to curb crime), or 'Gefühle zurückdrängen' (to suppress feelings).
Er versuchte, seine Enttäuschung zurückzudrängen.
He tried to suppress his disappointment.
to repress / displace
Both words can describe a loss of space or influence. Verdrängen emphasizes that something loses its place or is replaced by something else. Zurückdrängen, by contrast, emphasizes reducing its spread or effect; it may still remain present.
Durch regelmäßiges Mähen lässt sich die neue Pflanzenart am Ufer zurückdrängen.
Regular mowing can curb the spread of the new plant species along the shore.
Die neue Pflanzenart verdrängt die heimischen Pflanzen am Ufer.
The new plant species is displacing the native plants along the shore.
