gegenhalten

Gegenhalten is a German verb meaning to oppose, resist, or counteract something, and to stand one’s ground against a force, argument, or proposal. It can describe both physical opposition to a force and figurative resistance in debates or negotiations. The term is a separable verb; in the present tense the prefix moves to the end of the clause, as in ich halte dagegen, du hältst dagegen, er hält dagegen. The simple past is hielt dagegen, and the perfect is hat dagegengehalten.

The noun form das Gegenhalten is also used to denote the act of opposing or counteracting, and in technical contexts it can refer to applying an opposing force or maintaining balance against another force.

Etymology and usage notes: Gegenhalten combines the preposition gegen with halten (to hold). It is used across domains—from everyday conversation to politics, law, and engineering. In rhetoric, it often signals the presentation of a counter-argument or countermeasure. In physical or mechanical contexts it describes actions that oppose or balance an external influence, such as applying a counteracting force to prevent movement or deformation.

Examples:

- Politically: Der Minister hielt dem Vorschlag der Opposition entschieden dagegen.

- Argumentative: Sie hielt dem Vorwurf eine Gegenbehauptung entgegen.

- Mechanical: Die Vorrichtung hält dem plötzlichen Druck stand und leistet Gegenhalten.

Related terms include widersprechen (to contradict), kontern (to counter), entgegensetzen (to oppose by presenting something), entgegenhalten (to hold something up in opposition), and in physics Gegenkraft (opposing force).

See also: Widerstand, Gegenkraft, Gegenargument.