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 This is a story about one of modern life’s least consequential but most acutely annoying experiences: getting a sufficient number of capers out of those dollhouse-size jars they’re sold in. Allison Morrow, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 Synthetic fashion influencers seem benign but similar products could be used to deceive their audience on more consequential issues, said Leibowicz, of Partnership on AI. Max Zahn, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 Her subsequent experiences, first as a prisoner and then as a scientist forced to work on a secret government project, are historically contingent and massively, even universally, consequential. Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Of course, all administrations coordinate closely with Capitol Hill to enact their agenda, but the designee for Trump will be especially consequential because of his at times erratic behavior compared to his predecessors. USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024 In the end, though, the members of the committee that voted on the Anthropocene over the past month were not only weighing how consequential this period had been for the planet. Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The study adds to the evidence that small changes in diet can be consequential, and that a diet that's good for our health is also good for the environment. Allison Aubrey, NPR, 3 Mar. 2024 Focus On Long-Term Goals: A presidential election can be consequential, but the stock market views it as a short-term event with short-term implications. Jonathan Dash, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Though many remember the last total solar eclipse in 2017, this year's event is much more consequential, NASA reported. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consequential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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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Dictionary Entries Near consequential

Cite this Entry

“Consequential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consequential. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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