A device for switching a semiconductor-based switch includes a terminal that is configured to be connected to a control terminal of the semiconductor-based switch. A controllable activation voltage source is configured to provide a time-varying activation voltage potential. A controllable resistive circuit includes at least two ohmic resistances connected in parallel that are controllable such that at least three resistance values of the parallel connection result. A control device is configured to control the controllable activation voltage source and the controllable resistive circuit independently of one another. The controllable activation voltage source and the controllable resistive circuit are connected to a series connection connected to the terminal. The control device is configured to control the controllable activation voltage source and the controllable resistive circuit in a time-varying manner to obtain time-varying resistance values of the controllable resistive circuit and the time-varying activation voltage potential of the controllable activation voltage source.