tergerea

Tergerea is a Romanian term derived from the verb tergiversa, meaning the act of delaying or stalling, especially by postponing decisions or actions. In political, administrative, and organizational discourse, tergerea refers to deliberate slow-down or avoidance, rather than mere lateness. The standard noun for this concept is tergiversare, while tergerea appears as a less common or more archaic variant in some texts.

The word is typically used in contexts where actors are accused of using procedural steps, excuses, or lengthy negotiations to avoid making a decision or to gain time. As such, tergerea often carries a negative connotation, implying strategic delay or evasion rather than legitimate process management. It is distinguished from amânare (postponement due to necessity) and întârziere (general delay in time), which do not necessarily imply intentional obstruction.

Etymology and usage notes: Tergerea stems from the verb a tergiversa, whose sense is to stall or stall deliberately. In normative Romanian, tergiversare is the favored noun to express this concept; tergerea is mainly encountered as a secondary or stylistic variant, sometimes found in juridical, administrative, or journalistic language.

See also: amânare, tergiversare, întârziere.