motståndet

Motståndet, meaning “the resistance” in Swedish, is the definite form of motstånd and is used to denote resistance or opposition. The term can refer to organized resistance movements as well as broader acts of civil dissent, and it also appears in cultural titles and discourse. In Swedish, motståndet identifies the specific “the resistance” in contexts ranging from wartime underground activity to contemporary political debate. In Norwegian, a closely related term functions similarly, with the definite form appearing in discussions of resistance or opposition.

Historically, the phrase is associated with resistance against occupying powers in Europe during World War II. In occupied countries, underground networks, intelligence gathering, sabotage, and the dissemination of information were described as motståndet in local reporting and memoirs. The word emphasizes organized action rather than mere sentiment.

In modern usage, motståndet can denote any organized opposition to authority, policy, or social norms. It can appear in journalism, scholarship, and literature as a neutral descriptor of opposition movements, or as a title for works that examine acts of resistance. The term remains flexible, and its precise meaning is determined by context, including timeframe, geography, and whether the reference is historical or contemporary.

See also: resistance movement; motståndsrörelsen.