die Abwehrkraft, ¨-e
immune system · immune defense
Definition & meaning
Abwehrkraft means defensive strength or resistance: the ability to protect against or fend off something harmful.
It is especially common in health contexts, where it refers to the body’s ability to resist infections or other threats. In broader contexts, it can mean a person’s, group’s, or system’s capacity to defend itself.
Grammar & word origin
Abwehrkraft is a feminine noun: die Abwehrkraft. Its plural is die Abwehrkräfte.
It is a compound of Abwehr () and Kraft (). The plural is particularly common when referring to bodily defenses.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Widerstandskraft () is a close synonym. It can emphasize the ability to withstand strain or adversity, not only to defend against a specific threat.
- Immunität () is more specific: it usually refers to protection against a particular disease or pathogen.
- Abwehrschwäche () is an antonym in health contexts.
- Anfälligkeit () is an opposing idea, emphasizing how easily someone is affected by illness or other harm.
- Wehrlosigkeit () is an antonym in the broader sense of having little or no capacity to defend oneself.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Eine gute Ernährung stärkt die Abwehrkraft.noun
A good diet strengthens the immune system.
Im Winter sinken die Abwehrkräfte oft wegen Stress.noun
In winter the immune defenses often decrease because of stress.
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