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 as broader attacks on the law play out, consequential battles are being waged on individual species. Christine Peterson, Vox, 27 June 2025 The Supreme Court wrapped its term this week with a wave of consequential rulings, including decisions on birthright citizenship, LGBT+ rights, age verification on adult sites and access to Planned Parenthood. Essence, 27 June 2025 Among the legislation’s most consequential choices is a decision not to act: both bills let the enhanced subsidies for purchasing insurance on the ACA exchanges (approved by President Joe Biden and a Democratic Congress) expire as of December 31. Ronald Brownstein, Mercury News, 27 June 2025 With generative AI deployments accelerating within the enterprise, the gap between aspiration and execution is becoming increasingly consequential. Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 27 June 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 1 Jul. 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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