modsætte

Modsætte is a Danish verb meaning to oppose, to set against, to counter, or to contrast. It is used when describing the act of presenting an alternative, resisting an argument, or placing two ideas in opposition. In some contexts it also means to juxtapose concepts by highlighting their differences.

Etymology: The word is formed from mod (against) and sætte (to set). Related nouns include modsætning (opposition, contrast) and modsigelse (contradiction). The verb can appear with the preposition against or with the reflexive form at modsætte sig, which conveys resisting or objecting to something.

Usage: Modsætte is transitive and typically takes a direct object, as in Lægen modsatte sig patientens beslutning (The doctor opposed the patient’s decision) or Politikerne modsatte forslaget (The politicians opposed the proposal). The reflexive form at modsætte sig is common when describing resistance or objection to a proposed action or policy: Mange borgere modsatte sig ændringen. In rhetoric or philosophy, it can describe contrasting or counterbalancing ideas, such as at modsætte to synspunkter i en argumentation.

See also: kontrast, modsætning, kontradiktorisk opposition, juxtaposition. The term is most common in formal, academic, or argumentative writing.