consequence

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noun con·se·quence \ ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkwen(t)s , -kwən(t)s \

Definition of consequence

1 :a conclusion derived through logic :inference

… we can deduce … many consequences each of which can be tested by experiment.
—James Bryant Conant

2 :something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions

the economic consequences of the war

This refined taste is the consequence of education and habit.
—Joshua Reynolds

3 a :importance with respect to power to produce an effect

a mistake of no consequence

a problem of grave international consequence

b :social importance

a person of some consequence

4 :the appearance of importance; especially :self-importance

You will find his consequence very just and reasonable when you see him in his family . … He has a fine dignified manner, which suits the head of such a house …
—Jane Austen

— in consequence

:as a result

See consequence defined for English-language learners

See consequence defined for kids

Examples of consequence in a Sentence

The slightest error can have serious consequences.
What were the economic consequences of the war?
The decrease in sales was a consequence of some bad publicity about the company.
Some say many jobs will be lost as a consequence of the trade agreement.
He weighed the consequences of making a career change.
The style you choose is of no consequence.

Recent Examples of consequence from the Web

As the Washington Post’s Ishaan Tharoor points out, this is not the first time in recent years that fake news reports have led to diplomatic crises in the Persian Gulf, but this time, the consequences were more than usually severe.

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "The Fake News That Provoked a Crisis in the Middle East," 19 July 2017
Just as directly inciting violence carries legal consequences, so should spreading harmful lies.

— The Economist, "Defamation laws are necessary. But they must be narrowly drawn," 13 July 2017
While strategic dressing may lead to small, subconscious advantages, a courtroom fashion faux pas is not without consequences — at least in the court of public opinion.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "The Tricky Logic Behind Celebrity Courtroom Style," 13 July 2017
Listen to her discuss her reporting on this important engineering feat, as well as its consequences on the Native American tribes in Seattle.

— josie hollingsworth, The Seattle Times, "A live discussion on the Ballard Locks and their consequences, 100 years later," 6 July 2017
That’s one of the inherent dangers with the last-minute decision-making process without considering all of the unanticipated consequences, the collateral impact.

— kristen m. clark, miamiherald, "Broward Schools to sue over controversial new schools law," 5 July 2017
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces interrupted a protest organized by indigenous people and now may face consequences.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "A 17-Year-Old Was Charged With Stealing an FBI Agent's SUV," 5 July 2017
Beijing last week condemned U.S. sanctions that target Chinese business, warning of consequences to U.S.-China ties.

— emily rauhala, Washington Post, "North Korea claims successful ICBM test, defying international condemnation," 4 July 2017
Donald Trump continues to test the limits of his office, and has yet to face any real consequences for his constant violations of political norms.

— vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, "Is Steve Bannon Trying to Get Trump Impeached?," 3 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of consequence

see ¹consequent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

consequence Synonyms

Synonyms

aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, effect, corollary, development, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot

Antonyms

antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason

Related Words

ramification; denouement (also dénouement), echo, implication, repercussion; afterclap, afterglow, aftershock; blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect (also side reaction), spin-off

Near Antonyms

consideration, determinant, factor; base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork; impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus; mother, origin, root, source, spring

Synonym Discussion of consequence

importance, consequence, moment, weight, significance mean a quality or aspect having great worth or significance. importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

- a region with no cities of importance

consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

- the style you choose is of little consequence

moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

- a decision of great moment

weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

- the argument carried no weight with the judge

significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

- the treaty's significance

Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, inference, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism

CONSEQUENCE Defined for English Language Learners

consequence

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noun

Definition of consequence for English Language Learners

: something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions
: importance or value

CONSEQUENCE Defined for Kids

consequence

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noun con·se·quence \ ˈkän-sə-ˌkwens \

Definition of consequence for Students

1 :something produced by a cause or following from a condition

Her fear of stairs is a consequence of her fall.

2 :real importance

His promotion is of no consequence to me.

Word Root of consequence

The Latin word sequī, meaning “to follow,” and its form secutus give us the roots sequ and sec. Words from the Latin sequī have something to do with following. Something second follows what came first. A sequel is a book or movie that follows another and continues the story. A sequence is the order in which one thing follows another. A consequence is a result that follows from a condition or action.