bedenklich

Bedenklich is a German adjective used to describe something that gives rise to doubts, concerns, or objections. It conveys that a situation, action, or piece of information should be regarded with caution and warrants further scrutiny. The term often carries a moral, ethical, or legal undertone, beyond merely being questionable in a factual sense.

Etymology and nuance: Bedenklich stems from the verb bedenken (to consider or to have reservations) with the suffix -lich. In modern usage, it most commonly signals that something is troubling or potentially problematic, rather than simply uncertain. It can describe developments, behaviors, plans, or evidence that prompt hesitation or alarm.

Usage: The word appears in formal, journalistic, and written contexts. It is frequently paired with nouns like Entwicklung (development), Begründung (reasoning), or Maßnahmen (measures). Examples include: Eine bedenkliche Entwicklung erfordert politische Aufmerksamkeit. Die bedenklichen Klauseln im Vertrag sorgen für Unmut. Die Praxis wurde als bedenklich eingestuft.

Synonyms and antonyms: Synonyms include fraglich, zweifelhaft, problematisch, riskant, alarmierend. Antonyms are unbedenklich or harmlos, used to describe something safe, harmless, or without concern.

Related terms: Bedenkenswert means worth considering, often with a more neutral or positive connotation. Unbedenklich denotes safety or harmlessness, the opposite of bedenklich in many contexts.

In sum, bedenklich marks something that should be treated with caution and examined more closely due to potential risks or ethical concerns.