This is the 7272nd most frequent Dutch word.
bestrijden
"To combat" or "to fight against."
In this context, 'bestrijden' is used to denote taking actions to reduce or eliminate a societal issue.
De overheid probeert drugsgebruik te bestrijden.
The government tries to combat drug use.
Here, 'bestrijden' refers to actively working against an immediate threat to prevent damage.
We moeten deze plaag bestrijden voordat het ons hele gewas vernietigt.
We must combat this pest before it destroys our entire crop.
In this sentence, 'bestrijden' is used metaphorically to represent dealing with or managing an abstract opponent or condition.