motstridende

Motstridende is a Danish adjective meaning that two or more statements, beliefs, or pieces of evidence oppose each other, creating conflict or inconsistency. In English, it is commonly translated as contradictory or conflicting.

Etymology and form: The word derives from mod, meaning against, and stridende, the present participle of strider, to contend or fight. The compound conveys active opposition or contention, and it is used to describe information, claims, or positions that cannot be readily reconciled.

Usage: Motstridende is used across disciplines such as science, law, journalism, and everyday language to characterize data or assertions that point to different conclusions. It frequently appears in phrases like motstridende oplysninger (contradictory information) or motstridende påstande (conflicting claims). The term signals that further analysis, clarification, or additional evidence may be needed.

Examples: Forskningsresultaterne er motstridende. Rapporten bemærker motstridende oplysninger mellem kilderne. I logik kan motstridende påstande ikke begge være sande samtidig, hvilket indikerer inkonsistens.

See also: Related concepts include konflikt (conflict), inkonsistens (inconsistency), and contradiction. The term is closely related to similar Danish expressions describing disagreement or lack of agreement among sources or propositions.