German Conversation · Level 92
59 words
German word
unterbinden
Pronunciation
IPA/ˌʊntɐˈbɪndn̩/
Meaning
- verbstop
Example
Die Polizei unterbindet die Versammlung.
The police are stopping the gathering.
More examples
Die Redaktion unterbindet die Veröffentlichung sensibler Daten.
The editorial team stops the publication of sensitive data.
Core concept
An active intervention cuts off an event while it is unfolding.
Common phrases
unterbinden die Veröffentlichung
stop the publication
unterbinden illegale Aktivitäten
stop illegal activities
Similar words
verhindern: Keep an event from happening by acting beforehand or removing its conditions.
verbieten: Prohibit an action by declaring it against the rules or law.
aufhalten: Hold back a person or object by slowing or stopping its progress.
stoppen: Suddenly halt movement or an ongoing action.
Definition in German
etwas durch aktives Eingreifen aufhalten oder verhindern
Word origin
Unterbinden is formed from unter- ('under') and binden ('to bind'), referring originally to fastening something down and later to blocking an action or process.
Usage tips
- Unterbinden has a formal, administrative tone and commonly describes authorities stopping activities, while stoppen is more general and conversational.
Other meanings
- prohibitverb
- preventverb
Opposites
- ermöglichenenableverb
- erlaubenallowverb
Related words
- Unterbindungpreventionnoun
- unterbundenpreventedadjective