motsägelsefull

Motsägelsefull is a Swedish adjective meaning full of contradictions or paradoxical. It is used to describe statements, arguments, narratives, or people whose elements conflict or resist a single, coherent interpretation. The term often signals complexity or tension rather than clarity, and it can apply to intellectual positions, policies, or fictional plots that resist straightforward reading.

Etymology and form: The word is built from motsägelse, meaning contradiction, combined with full (full of). The basic form is motsägelsefull; in plural or when describing feminine nouns the form changes to motsägelsefulla, and the definite form follows standard Swedish noun-adjective concord: den motsägelsefulla historien. The adverbial form is motsägelsefullt.

Usage and nuance: Motsägelsefull implies a nuanced or contested quality, emphasizing coexistence of opposing aspects. It is common in literary criticism, philosophy, and journalism when a claim or scene contains competing forces or interpretations. The term is somewhat formal or literary and may contrast with words like paradoxal or oförklarlig, depending on the emphasis on logical inconsistency versus other kinds of ambiguity.

Related terms and antonyms: Related synonyms include paradoxal and kontradiktorisk, while antonyms include konsekvent or logisk, which stress coherence and consistency. The expression often invites further analysis to resolve or understand the conflicting elements rather than presenting a final, unambiguous conclusion.

Examples (Swedish with English translations): En motsägelsefull berättelse väcker frågor om tidsordning och motiv. A contradictory/paradoxical story raises questions about the sequence of time and motives. Hans motsägelsefulla hållning gör det svårt att avgöra vad han egentligen tror. His contradictory stance makes it hard to determine what he really believes.