consensual

adjective

con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl How to pronounce consensual (audio)
-shəl,
-shü-əl
1
: existing or made by mutual consent without an act of writing
a consensual contract
2
: involving or based on mutual consent
consensual acts
consensually adverb

Examples of consensual in a Sentence

She claims their relationship was consensual.
Recent Examples on the Web But in December, a Dane County judge ruled the law did not apply to consensual abortions. Journal Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2024 That investigation also revealed a consensual relationship between Zucker and Gollust, who worked for two decades as Zucker's right hand. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 According to the claim, Pictou Landing Chief Andrea Paul, the lead plaintiff, took part in a consensual MRI scan in March 2017 as part of a medical research project conducted by the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds at a research facility in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Leo Sands, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 According to a 2016 study that sampled U.S. Census data from single adults, 20% of participants reported engaging in consensual non-monogamy at some point in their lifetime. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 The Barcelona court which made the ruling said that there was proof that the assault was not consensual, the court press office said in a statement. Al Goodman, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024 Relationships were consensual Golobic’s attorneys said the relationships were entirely consensual. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 10 Jan. 2024 The liaisons on Seeking, whatever their legality, appeared to have been consensual. Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 Three other men will also face trial for allegedly coercing the player, Jenni Hermoso, into calling the kiss consensual. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consensual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin consensuālis, from Latin consensu-, stem of consensus "agreement, consensus" + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of consensual was in 1754

Dictionary Entries Near consensual

Cite this Entry

“Consensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consensual. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

consensual

adjective
con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl How to pronounce consensual (audio)
-ˈsen-shəl
: involving, made by, or based on shared agreement
a consensual contract

Medical Definition

consensual

adjective
con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsen-chəl How to pronounce consensual (audio)
1
: existing or made by mutual consent
consensual sexual behavior
2
: relating to or being the constrictive pupillary response of an eye that is covered when the other eye is exposed to light
consensually adverb

Legal Definition

consensual

adjective
con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsen-chə-wəl How to pronounce consensual (audio)
1
: existing or made by mutual consent without any further act (as a writing)
2
: involving or based on mutual consent
consensual sexual intercourse

More from Merriam-Webster on consensual

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