frånståtligen

Frånståtligen is a Swedish adverb used to describe an action carried out in a defiant, obstinate manner. It signals that someone resists or refuses to comply with expectations, orders, or norms, often with a sense of dignity or principled stance.

Etymology and form: The adverb derives from the adjective frånstålig, meaning defiant or obstinate. The adverb is formed with the typical adverbial suffix -ligen, giving frånståtligen to modify verbs. The word belongs to literary and formal registers and is rarely heard in everyday casual speech.

Usage and nuance: Frånståtligen conveys more than mere stubbornness; it implies a conscious choice to stand one's ground and resist pressure. It is commonly used to describe actions by individuals, groups, or leaders who maintain their position despite opposition. The tone can be neutral in descriptive writing, but it also carries a evaluative shade, highlighting principled resistance or even bravado.

Examples:

- Hon svarade frånståtligen att hon inte tänkte följa beslutet.

- Efter intervjun stod han frånståtligen kvar vid sin ståndpunkt.

See also: obstinans (obstinacy), defiant behavior.

In sum, frånståtligen is a precise term for describing acts performed with willful defiance, typically in formal or literary Swedish, and it emphasizes the actor’s deliberate resistance rather than accidental stubbornness.