consequential

adjective

con·​se·​quen·​tial ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen(t)-shəl How to pronounce consequential (audio)
1
: of the nature of a secondary result : indirect
insurance against consequential loss
2
: consequent
oversupply and the consequential plummeting prices
3
: having significant consequences : important
a grave and consequential event
consequential decisions
4
consequentially adverb
consequentialness noun

Did you know?

Consequential dates from the 17th century and can be traced back to the Latin verb consequi, meaning "to follow along." Consequi, in turn, combines the prefix con-, meaning "through" or "with," and sequi, meaning "to follow." The English words sequel, second, and suitor are among the offspring of sequi. Henry Fielding's 1728 comedy Love in Several Masques introduced the meaning of "important" to consequential, which had until that point been used primarily in the context of results. Evidence for this usage declined temporarily in the 19th century, causing its acceptability to be questioned by such commentators as H. W. Fowler; it resurfaced in the 20th century, however, and is now considered standard.

Examples of consequential in a Sentence

There have been several consequential innovations in their computer software. The change to the schedule is not consequential.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But OpenAI’s earlier decision to release open-source versions of its powerful model—the first time it’s done so since 2020, may be more consequential. Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2025 The most consequential statewide housing plan in decades, so families have access to affordable housing and protects homeowners and renters throughout our state. Walter Mosley, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2025 Not helping matters is the fact that, despite being arguably the most consequential children’s show in history, Sesame Street has spent this past year being passed around like a hot potato by different streaming partners. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025 Baroque Works includes some of the most consequential characters in the entire series, two of whom appeared in the trailer. Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for consequential

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin consequentiālis, from Latin consequentia "succession of events, consequence" + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of consequential was in 1626

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Cite this Entry

“Consequential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consequential. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

consequential

adjective
con·​se·​quen·​tial ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen-chəl How to pronounce consequential (audio)
1
2
: having important consequences

Legal Definition

consequential

adjective
con·​se·​quen·​tial ˌkän-si-ˈkwen-chəl How to pronounce consequential (audio)
: of the nature of an indirect or secondary result

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