abzulehnend

Abzulehnend is a German attributive present participle derived from ablehnen (to reject). It functions as an adjective meaning “to be rejected” or “worthy of rejection” and is used primarily in formal, bureaucratic, legal, or political language. When used attributively it describes a noun as something that should be rejected, for example: “eine abzulehnende Maßnahme” (a measure to be rejected) or “ein abzulehnender Antrag” (a motion to be rejected). In predicative use it can appear in constructions like “Der Antrag ist abzulehnen” (the application must be rejected), where the infinitive “abzulehnen” behaves similarly to a modal verb.

Etymology: formed from the verb ablehnen with the prefix ab- and the adjectival suffix -end, producing present participle forms that take typical attributive endings depending on gender, case, and number (e.g., der abzulehnende Antrag, die abzulehnende Maßnahme, ein abzulehnender Antrag, eine abzulehnende Forderung). The broader concept is that of something that invites rejection or is deemed unacceptable.

Usage notes: The term is common in formal texts—parliamentary records, policy documents, legal opinions—where items, proposals, or measures are evaluated for acceptance or rejection. It should not be confused with abgelehnt (past participle: rejected) or with ablehnenswert (worthy of rejection), though latter can be used as a more evaluative synonym in neutral contexts.

See also: ablehnen, Ablehnung, abzulehnen, abzulehnende Vorschläge.