veronachtzamen

Veronachtzamen is a Dutch verb meaning to neglect or fail to give due attention to someone or something, often implying neglect that stems from a lack of care or obligation. It can also mean to disregard or overlook aspects that should be considered.

Etymology and nuance: the word combines the prefix ver- with onachtzaam (careless). The sense is to treat something or someone with insufficient care or consideration, rather than merely to forget. It often carries a formal or written tone and is used in contexts such as policy, safety, and administration.

Grammar and usage: veronachtzamen is a transitive verb. It takes a direct object, as in veronachtzamen iets (to neglect something) or veronachtzamen iemand (to neglect someone). Conjugation follows regular patterns: present tense ik veronachtzaam, jij veronachtzaamt, hij veronachtzaamt; past tense veronachtzaamde; past participle veronachtzaamd; present perfect with hebben: heeft veronachtzaamd. It is common to pair the verb with nouns like waarschuwingssignalen, risico’s, of verplichtingen to indicate what is being neglected.

Examples:

- De overheid veronachtzaamt de veiligheidswaarschuwingen.

- We mogen de signalen niet veronachtzamen.

- Het bedrijf heeft de onderhouds- en veiligheidsprocedures veronachtzaamd.

Synonyms and related terms: verwaarlozen and negeren convey similar ideas but with different nuance; verwaarlozen often emphasizes long-term neglect, while negeren stresses ignoring deliberately. Antonyms include aandacht schenken and serieus nemen.

In use, veronachtzamen appears most in formal, juridisch of beleidscontexten, though it can appear in journalistic prose to express neglect of duties or risks.