consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl 
-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
The Swiss have long preferred a more consensual approach to financial oversight than is common in other jurisdictions.
—
Bastian Benrath, Fortune Europe, 4 Apr. 2024
But Steve could not imagine a consensual scenario, given her age.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 19 Mar. 2024
Ziegler insisted throughout the investigation that the encounter was consensual.
—Max Greenwood, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
Gow said creating books and videos exploring consensual adult sexuality is within his First Amendment rights.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 2 Feb. 2024
At the time of the initial filing and since, Allen has denied the accusations and claimed that their relationship was consensual.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
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
Bastian Benrath, Fortune Europe, 4 Apr. 2024
But Steve could not imagine a consensual scenario, given her age.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 19 Mar. 2024
Ziegler insisted throughout the investigation that the encounter was consensual.
—Max Greenwood, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
Gow said creating books and videos exploring consensual adult sexuality is within his First Amendment rights.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 2 Feb. 2024
At the time of the initial filing and since, Allen has denied the accusations and claimed that their relationship was consensual.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near consensual
Cite this Entry
“Consensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consensual. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl
-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
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
Legal Definition
consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsen-chə-wəl
1
: existing or made by mutual consent without any further act (as a writing)
2
: involving or based on mutual consent
consensual sexual intercourse
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