as in reciprocal
agreed to by the people involved; done with the consent of the people involved
a consensual decision She claims their relationship was consensual.
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Recent Examples of consensual
As of state legislation passed in 2024, creating or distributing non-consensual pornographic deepfakes is a misdemeanor offense in Indiana.
—
Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 19 Sep. 2025
Some of the comments described non-consensual and fetish-style scenarios.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
At least 14 CEOs have been fired for apparently consensual affairs since 2016, according to Challenger Gray & Christmas data, often coinciding with either operational missteps or misuse of corporate assets.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Famously, Steve Easterbrook, the former chief executive of McDonald’s, walked away from the role with a hefty sum of $40 million after getting caught having a consensual relationship with a subordinate.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consensual
Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 19 Sep. 2025
Some of the comments described non-consensual and fetish-style scenarios.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
At least 14 CEOs have been fired for apparently consensual affairs since 2016, according to Challenger Gray & Christmas data, often coinciding with either operational missteps or misuse of corporate assets.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Famously, Steve Easterbrook, the former chief executive of McDonald’s, walked away from the role with a hefty sum of $40 million after getting caught having a consensual relationship with a subordinate.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consensual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consensual
Adjective
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But also, a village implies a loose, reciprocal network of people who want to help one another, not an employee who is obligated to work for an employer at certain times.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
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Totally mutual, totally reciprocal.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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What seems to make Jennifer and Jim’s relationship work is its balance of normalcy and mutual respect.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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The two bonded over their mutual love for Atlanta and its vibrant culture before Trae and Quavo faced off in a friendly yet competitive game of HORSE on the basketball court.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The White House, for its part, told me Trump is more focused on bilateral negotiations over energy issues with other world leaders, in the context of trade and peace talks rather than COP.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The other set of complexities is that, by and large, these have become bilateral agreements.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Consensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consensual. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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