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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
Joseph Andrew,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
The single most consequential inclusion in the agreement relates to Lebanon.
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Hamidreza Azizi,
Time,
19 June 2026
Assuming the ceasefire holds, the more consequential battle is whether the Islamic Republic’s leaders can translate that defiance into sanctions relief, economic revival and enough public support to secure the regime’s future.
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Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
The consequential decision was prompted by yet another legal action from the health insurance industry.
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Bob Herman,
STAT,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for consequential
Cite this Entry
“Consequential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consequential. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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consequential
adjective
Legal Definition
consequential
adjective
