wegleiden

Wegleiden is a Dutch verb meaning to guide someone away from a location or from a certain path, and more commonly to misdirect or divert someone or information from an intended course. In its literal sense, it can describe escorting a person away from a place or away from danger. In figurative use, it denotes intentional misdirection or deception, such as steering attention, questions, or a narrative away from the truth.

Etymologically, the term combines weg, meaning away, with leiden, to lead. It is closely related to other Dutch verbs that express diversion or misdirection and is often employed in discussions of ethics, security, politics, and media.

Usage and nuance: wegleiden is transitive and can refer to people, groups, or abstract targets like information or investigations. The connotation is typically negative when used to imply deception or manipulation, but it can be neutral or even protective in contexts where someone is guided away from imminent harm or from confusion. The word is versatile enough to describe physical guidance as well as strategic or informational steering.

Related terms include omleiden (to divert) and afleiden (to distract), which highlight different shades of steering attention away from a point of interest.

Examples:

- De gids leidt de toeristen langs de minder drukke kant van de route, zodat niemand in de drukte terechtkomt.

- De politieke campagnewerking probeerde de aandacht weg te wegleiden van de kernvragen door verantwoording elders te zoeken.

- Het bedrijf wordt beschuldigd van het wegleiden van beleggers naar minder risicovolle maar minder winstgevende opties.