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verb

eindämmen

contain

Etwas kleiner oder weniger stark machen, damit es keinen größeren Schaden anrichtet.

Definition & meaning

The verb eindämmen generally refers to the act of restraining, limiting, or containing something, often used in the context of negative developments, disasters, or abstract problems.

  1. Physical containment: Literally building a dike or dam to hold back water (e.g., flooding).
  2. Abstract containment: Controlling or restricting the spread of something undesirable, such as a pandemic, violence, inflation, or the influence of a specific group. It implies preventing a situation from expanding further or getting out of control.

Grammar & Word origin

eindämmen is a separable, weak verb.

  • Grammar: As a separable verb, the prefix "ein-" detaches in simple main clause conjugations (e.g., "Die Regierung dämmt die Inflation ein").
  • Origin: It is derived from the German word Damm (dam/dike). The prefix "ein-" denotes the act of enclosing or pushing something into a confined space. Essentially, it describes the process of "putting something behind a dam."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • begrenzen (to limit)
  • kontrollieren (to control)
  • zurückdrängen (to push back)
  • einschränken (to restrict)
  • bändigen (to tame)

Antonyms:

  • ausweiten (to expand)
  • fördern (to promote/encourage)
  • entfesseln (to unleash)
  • vergrößern (to enlarge)

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Examples

Wir müssen die Ausbreitung des Virus eindämmen.verb

We have to contain the spread of the virus.

Um die Pandemie einzudämmen, sind strikte Maßnahmen erforderlich.verb

Strict measures are required to contain the pandemic.

Man sollte das Problem eindämmen.verb

One should contain the problem.

Die Regierung konnte die Inflation erfolgreich eindämmen.verb

The government was able to successfully contain the inflation.

Trotz vieler Bemühungen konnte man die Gerüchte nicht völlig eindämmen.verb

Despite many efforts, one could not completely contain the rumors.

Durch rechtzeitiges Handeln ließ sich der Konflikt eindämmen.verb

Through timely action, the conflict could be contained.

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