Onverantwoord

Onverantwoord is a Dutch adjective that describes behavior or actions that lack responsibility, prudence, or accountability. The term is typically applied to individuals or decisions that neglect the well‑being of others or fail to consider long‑term consequences, and it is often contrasted with the more positive Dutch terms 'verantwoord' or 'verantwoordelijk'. The word combines the negating prefix 'on-' (meaning 'not') with 'verantwoord', which itself stems from the Middle Dutch 'verbonden' meaning 'bound' or 'tied' to duty. In contemporary usage, onverantwoord is employed in everyday speech, legal texts, and media to criticize wasteful spending, negligent conduct, or reckless risk‑taking.

Practical examples include a company that cuts employee safety measures to reduce costs or an individual who spends sizeable amounts of money on frivolous purchases without regard to future needs. In a legal context, a court might describe a negligent driver as acting onverantwoord when their conduct deviates from accepted standards of care. In public discourse, commentators often label certain political decisions or lifestyle choices as onverantwoord when they appear to threaten communal welfare.

Synonyms in Dutch for onverantwoord include 'negligentie', 'onverantwoordelijk', and 'on verantwoordelijk', while antonyms include 'verantwoord' and 'zorgvuldig'. Although the term shares a root with 'verantwoord', its negative connotation requires careful usage; writers must avoid over‑generalization and consider context to present a balanced account. The word is common across Dutch media, education, and everyday conversation, reflecting society’s emphasis on accountability and prudent decision‑making.