widersetzlichem

Widersetzlich is a German adjective that describes behavior or attitudes that oppose rules, norms, or authority. It conveys a sense of defiance or resistance and is used in neutral, descriptive, or evaluative contexts. The term can refer to a general disposition as well as to specific actions that challenge established orders or directives. In many contexts it carries a nuance of a principled or deliberate stance rather than mere stubbornness.

The form widersetzlichem appears as an inflected variant in the dative singular, typically without an article, for example in phrases like mit widersetzlichem Verhalten. This illustrates the strong adjective declension in German. The base form of the adjective is widersetzlich; other inflected forms include widersetzliche (nominative feminine or plural) and widersetzlicher (nominative masculine or neuter in other cases). The word is formed from the prefix wider- meaning against and the verb setzen, “to place” or “to set,” giving a sense of placing oneself against something.

Usage notes: widersetzlich is common in discussions of psychology, sociology, politics, education, and everyday conduct. It often implies active resistance to authority or established norms, but the tone can range from descriptive to critical depending on context. Synonyms include widerspenstig and aufsässig, while antonyms include gehorsam and konform.

Examples: Er zeigte eine widersetzliche Haltung gegenüber den Anweisungen. Das Verhalten der Gruppe war von widersetzlichem Widerstand geprägt.