Weiterreichend

Weiterreichend is a German adjective meaning far-reaching or extensive in scope, referring to consequences, implications, or measures that extend beyond the immediate situation. The term is formed from weiter (further) and reichend (reaching), conveying a sense of extended reach or impact.

It is primarily used in formal, academic, or policy language. It commonly precedes nouns in attributive position: weiterreichende Auswirkungen, weiterreichende Maßnahmen, weiterreichende Folgen. In many contexts, weiterreichend sits alongside or is contrasted with the more common weitreichend; while both indicate broad impact, weiterreichend carries an additional emphasis on extension beyond the current frame or context.

Examples of usage include discussions of policy, law, or strategy. For instance, one might speak of weiterreichende Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung des Klimawandels, weiterreichende Folgen einer Entscheidung für kommende Generationen, or weiterreichende Fragestellungen in der Forschung. The term helps to signal that the effects or considerations are not limited to the present moment but will unfold over a longer horizon.

See also: weitreichend, umfassend, ausgedehnt. In English, it is often rendered as far-reaching. While weitreichend is common in everyday language, weiterreichend tends to appear more in formal or policy-oriented writing where the emphasis on extended impact is particularly salient.