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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun consequence differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of consequence are importance, moment, significance, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

When might importance be a better fit than consequence?

Although the words importance and consequence have much in common, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When is moment a more appropriate choice than consequence?

While in some cases nearly identical to consequence, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

When is it sensible to use significance instead of consequence?

The words significance and consequence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

In what contexts can weight take the place of consequence?

The words weight and consequence can be used in similar contexts, but weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of consequence Two Prosecutors centers on a law school grad who tries as a young prosecutor takes on corruption in the Soviet system and winds up facing the consequences. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025 But his threats alone dangerously erode the set of assumptions about behavior, restraint, and consequences that uphold the prohibition on conquest. Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025 Closing the Strait of Hormuz One option that would have massive global consequences would be to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route through which more than 20 percent of the world’s oil supplies pass daily. Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 24 June 2025 No one mentioned the potential for serious consequences or that fatty liver could be reversed if caught early. Susan Horava, Health, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for consequence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consequence
Noun
  • Monday night’s 6-3 loss to the Dodgers brought mixed results.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • That study has enrolled only nine patients, however, and the results so far show that just one patient’s tumor actually shrank, according to a recent scientific abstract.
    Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • When 44 percent of your games are decided by one run, there’s no underselling the importance of one big swing.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • China imports the majority of its oil from neighboring Russia, but the importance of Iran should not be overlooked.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The lines between competitive stubbornness and plain old stubbornness, a healthy arrogance and prideful ignorance are pretty thin.
    Will Graves, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025
  • Individuals with big egos display excessive pride in their abilities and accomplishments, often leading to arrogance and overconfidence.
    AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • This is an area where companies like Pure Storage hope to provide primary storage to support existing model fine tuning and inference to solve real world solutions in a variety of industries.
    Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • These metrics provide essential visibility into not just where energy is being consumed, but how efficiently it's being utilized across model training, inference, and supporting infrastructure.
    Aya Saed, Time, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Legal and financial barriers delay needed care, leading to substantially worse health outcomes for our community.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
  • The court today disregards Congress's express desire to prevent that very outcome.
    June 26, CBS News, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Jennings said the preservation and rehabilitation of the chapel is crucial due to its historical and architectural significance, and community value.
    Damenica Ellis, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2025
  • Several hundred locals gathered outside the property gates on Sunday to protest the detention center and call for the protection of the land, stressing its special significance to Native Americans as well as conservationists, according to member station WGCU.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Dad, as fathers do, asserted his physical superiority.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • Beijing’s military capabilities already surpass India’s, and given its lower defense burden—the ratio of military expenditures to GDP—China could expand its defense spending with fewer penalties to its economic growth compared with India while further widening its military superiority.
    ASHLEY J. TELLIS, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The Senate version of the bill would also permanently extend and modify the depreciation deduction for businesses.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Other tax cuts, credits and gifts In addition to extending the tax cuts from the 2017 tax bill, the House version would give people who live in high-tax states such as California, New York and New Jersey a bigger income tax deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT.
    Jim Sergent, USA Today, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Consequence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consequence. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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