weigering

Weigering is a Dutch noun meaning the act of refusing or declining a request, offer, or obligation. It derives from the verb weigeren, to refuse, and is used in Dutch-language contexts to describe a formal or informal decision to not comply with something proposed or required. In English, the closest equivalents are refusal, denial, or rejection.

In practice, weigering can occur in various domains. In legal and administrative settings, it denotes a formal decision by an individual or institution to deny a claim, permission, or consent. In healthcare, a patient’s weigering may refer to refusing a treatment or procedure. In everyday life, it can describe declining an invitation, contract terms, or other proposals. The term can refer to both explicit refusals and situations where a person does not comply, even if no explicit statement is made.

Weigering is related to, but distinct from, afwijzing (rejection or dismissal) and ontzegging (denial or forbiddance). It often emphasizes the act of withholding consent or withholding agreement, rather than evaluating the merits of a request. The motivations behind weigering vary and can include concerns about autonomy, safety, personal or organizational policy, or insufficient information. The consequences of a weigering depend on the context and may range from simple rejection to legal or procedural implications.

In Dutch discourse, weigering is a common term across legal, medical, and everyday language, used to denote the act of choosing not to participate or not to grant a request.