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consensual

adjective con·sen·su·al \ kən-ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl , -shəl , -shü-əl \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of consensual

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

See consensual defined for English-language learners

See consensual defined for kids

Examples of consensual in a Sentence

She claims their relationship was consensual.

Recent Examples of consensual from the Web

Greitens has denied allegations of assault, claiming the relationship was consensual.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "A Nude Photo, Abuse Allegations, and Calls for Impeachment: What to Know About the Scandal Engulfing Missouri Governor Eric Greitens," 12 Apr. 2018
Greitens answered: [T]his was a consensual relationship.

— kansascity, "Read full report from Missouri House committee investigating Greitens allegations | The Kansas City Star," 11 Apr. 2018
One of the women admitted to a consensual relationship with Granville but would provide police with only her middle name, not her full name.

— anne ryman, azcentral, "Tempe releases records of police investigation into Kolby Granville allegations," 2 Apr. 2018
If the conduct in question was part of a consensual relationship, then discipline is typically not warranted.

— tresa baldas, Detroit Free Press, "Sources: Sex, lies, videotape — How WXYZ's Malcom Maddox got away with it all," 31 Mar. 2018
The significance of this revelation, from a news standpoint, has long been unclear: If Donald Trump did, in fact, have a consensual adulterous affair with Stephanie Clifford (a.k.a.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Cohen Used Trump Organization Email for Stormy Daniels Payoff," 9 Mar. 2018
The admission came as a local television news station reported about the consensual encounter in March of 2015 with a woman who cut his hair.

— sean sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "An affair, a photo and a felony charge: Missouri’s governor is waging a campaign for political survival," 23 Mar. 2018
Cotton suggested that the incident might have been consensual.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "Tennessee pastor resigns after ‘sexual incident’ with minor," 21 Mar. 2018
Greitens has repeatedly denied the allegations and has said the affair was consensual.

— max londberg, kansascity, "Greitens’ indictment triggers online furor: ‘Headlines in 2018 are just dystopic’ | The Kansas City Star," 22 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'consensual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of consensual

Latin consensus + English -al

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1754

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

CONSENSUAL Defined for English Language Learners

consensual

adjective

Definition of consensual for English Language Learners

: agreed to by the people involved : done with the consent of the people involved

Medical Dictionary

consensual

adjective con·sen·su·al \ kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsen-chəl \

medical Definition of consensual

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

play \-ē\ adverb

Law Dictionary

consensual

adjective con·sen·su·al \ kən-ˈsen-chə-wəl \

legal Definition of consensual

1 : existing or made by mutual consent without any further act (as a writing)

2 : involving or based on mutual consent

consensual sexual intercourse

Learn More about consensual

See words that rhyme with consensual Britannica English: Translation of consensual for Arabic speakers

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BROWSE DICTIONARY

consenescence

consension

consensual

consensus

consensus of opinion

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Examples: consensual in a Sentence