consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl 
-shəl,
-shü-əl
1
: existing or made by mutual consent without an act of writing
a consensual contract
2
: involving or based on mutual consent
consensual acts
consensually
adverb
Examples of consensual in a Sentence
She claims their relationship was consensual.
Recent Examples on the Web
These liaisons are consensual but fraught by infidelity, disparities in age and power, shifting norms.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Defense argues claims are prejudicial In Snow's 2025 Gallatin County trial, which ended in a mistrial, his attorneys argued the 2020 encounter at issue had been consensual and said there was no DNA evidence or eyewitness corroboration.
—Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2026
Similarly, the Indian supreme court has decriminalized consensual same-sex conduct and recognized transgender rights while upholding ever more repressive actions by Narendra Modi’s government.
—David Pozen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
California’s Assembly Bill 621, passed last year, bans non-consensual deepfake pornography.
—Ethan Baron, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consensual
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Judy Berman, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Defense argues claims are prejudicial In Snow's 2025 Gallatin County trial, which ended in a mistrial, his attorneys argued the 2020 encounter at issue had been consensual and said there was no DNA evidence or eyewitness corroboration.
—Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2026
Similarly, the Indian supreme court has decriminalized consensual same-sex conduct and recognized transgender rights while upholding ever more repressive actions by Narendra Modi’s government.
—David Pozen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
California’s Assembly Bill 621, passed last year, bans non-consensual deepfake pornography.
—Ethan Baron, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consensual
Cite this Entry
“Consensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consensual. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl
-ˈsen-shəl
: involving, made by, or based on shared agreement
a consensual contract
Medical Definition
consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsen-chəl
1
: existing or made by mutual consent
consensual sexual behavior
2
: relating to or being the constrictive pupillary response of an eye that is covered when the other eye is exposed to light
Legal Definition
consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsen-chə-wəl
1
: existing or made by mutual consent without any further act (as a writing)
2
: involving or based on mutual consent
consensual sexual intercourse
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