entgegengehalten

Entgegengehalten is a German verb that translates to "to counter," "to oppose," or "to hold against" in English. It is formed from the prefix "entgegen," meaning "against" or "opposite," and the verb "halten," meaning "to hold." The verb implies a deliberate act of presenting something in opposition to something else. This can manifest in various contexts, from presenting evidence to refute an argument, to physically holding an object in opposition to another, or even offering a different perspective to challenge a prevailing one.

In a legal or argumentative setting, "entgegengehalten" signifies the act of introducing a piece of evidence or a statement that directly contradicts or weakens an opposing claim. For instance, a lawyer might "entgegengehalten" a witness's testimony with documentary evidence. In a more general sense, one might "entgegengehalten" a different opinion or a contrasting idea to a group's consensus. The core idea is the active and conscious placement of something in opposition, aiming to challenge, invalidate, or provide an alternative to what is already presented or established. The term emphasizes a direct confrontation or comparison between two elements.