elhárítani

Elhárítani is a Hungarian verb meaning to ward off, avert, prevent, or defuse a threat, attack, obstacle, or problem. The sense covers both physical defense and more figurative prevention, such as neutralizing a risk, stopping an impending issue, or defusing a tense situation. It is commonly used in security, military, law enforcement, emergency management, sports, and everyday language.

Etymology and form: the word is formed with the prefix el- attached to the verbal stem hárít, which means to repel or ward off. The related noun is elhárítás (warding off, defusal, interception) and the adjective elhárító (defensive, preventive). The verb follows regular conjugation patterns for Hungarian -ít verbs with the el- prefix. Examples include elhárítok, elhárítasz, elhárítja, elhárítjuk, elhárítjátok, elhárítják, and past tenses such as elhárítottam, elhárítottad, elhárította.

Usage: elhárítani is transitive and takes a direct object representing the threat or obstacle, for example, elhárítani egy támadást (to foil an attack), elhárítani a veszélyt (to avert the danger), or elhárítani egy kifogást (to fend off an objection). In sports, it can describe a defender’s action, as in a goalkeeper elhárította a lövést (the shot was parried). In risk management or policy contexts, it denotes preventive or counteractive measures, such as elhárító intézkedések.

See also: megelőzés, meghiúsítás, megakadályozás, elhárítás, elhárító. The nuances of elhárítani distinguish it from broader “prevention” terms by emphasizing active repelling or neutralization of a concrete threat or obstacle.