entgegensetzen

Entgegensetzen is a German verb meaning to oppose something by presenting a counterargument, counterproposal, or countermeasure. It describes the act of putting an opposing element against an original assertion, proposal, or plan with the aim of balancing or rebutting it. The construction is typically transitive: one can say jemandem etwas entgegensetzen or etwas dem Vorschlag entgegensetzen.

Use and usage

In ordinary and formal language, entgegensetzen is used when someone actively offers an alternative or objection in response to an idea or decision. Examples include: Der Minister setzte dem Vorschlag eine strengere Regelung entgegen. Die Opposition setzte dem Gesetzesentwurf eine Gegenposition entgegen. Man kann auch sagen: Er setzte dem Argument schlüssige Daten entgegen. The term often appears in political, legal, or argumentative contexts, where it serves to indicate a deliberate counterweight or rebuttal.

Etymology and nuance

The verb derives from den Kernbestandteilen ent-, gegen- und setzen (to set). ent- expresses reversal or removal, gegen- indicates opposition, and setzen conveys the act of placing or presenting. Compared with synonyms, entgegensetzen emphasizes actively countering with a specific alternative or evidence, rather than merely opposing in principle. It is somewhat more formal or technical than everyday phrases like widersprechen or entgegnen.

See also

Gegenargument, Gegenposition, Gegenmaßnahme, Widerspruch.