Synonyms of consequence

consequence

noun

ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkwen(t)s 

1

as in result

a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause

the flood was an inevitable consequence of the prolonged, heavy rains

Synonyms & Similar Words

• result
• outcome
• resultant
• product
• effect
• aftermath
• matter of course
• upshot
• corollary
• implication
• development
• fate
• issue
• precipitate
• fruit
• sequel
• aftereffect
• backwash
• outgrowth
• conclusion
• sequence
• child
• ramification
• repercussion
• denouement
• by-product
• fallout
• side effect
• echo
• aftershock
• blowback
• afterclap
• ripple
• afterglow
• offshoot
• spin-off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cause
• reason
• consideration
• factor
• occasion
• basis
• antecedent
• base
• ground
• causation
• foundation
• determinant
• source
• mother
• incentive
• stimulus
• origin
• spring
• inspiration
• impetus
• groundwork
• root
• instigation

2

as in importance

the quality or state of being important

a mistake that was of no great consequence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• importance
• significance
• import
• magnitude
• moment
• gravity
• value
• momentousness
• weight
• weightiness
• account
• substance
• power
• prominence
• notoriety
• distinction
• worth
• seriousness
• celebrity
• fame
• eminence
• renown
• reputation
• status
• preeminence
• potency
• control
• worthiness
• noteworthiness
• note
• report
• name
• position
• authority
• substantiveness
• repute
• dominion
• centrality
• mastery
• store
• sway
• prestige
• stature
• standing
• greatness
• rank
• glory
• honor
• essentialness
• essentiality
• mark
• illustriousness
• cachet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insignificance
• smallness
• triviality
• shame
• disgrace
• worthlessness
• littleness
• pettiness
• dishonor
• ignominy
• infamy
• puniness
• disrepute
• opprobrium
• discredit
• odium
• slightness
• anonymity
• valuelessness
• paltriness
• obscurity

3

as in arrogance

an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims

a junior executive who strutted around the office with all of the consequence of a peacock in pinstripes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrogance
• superiority
• attitude
• assumption
• disdain
• bumptiousness
• peremptoriness
• high horse
• self-consequence
• imperiousness
• pretense
• superciliousness
• pretension
• haughtiness
• loftiness
• masterfulness
• lordliness
• presumptuousness
• toploftiness
• huffiness
• pomposity
• pridefulness
• hauteur
• pompousness
• self-importance
• vanity
• dominance
• pretentiousness
• pride
• high-handedness
• inflation
• scorn
• condescension
• side
• snobbishness
• bossiness
• snobbery
• snobbism
• self-assertion
• authoritativeness
• brag
• impudence
• boastfulness
• snootiness
• chest-thumping
• cheekiness
• sauciness
• impertinence
• bravado
• egoism
• vainglory
• self-complacency
• smugness
• vaingloriousness
• complacence
• swelled head
• triumphalism
• self-satisfaction
• bowwow
• self-contentment
• self-opinion
• self-content
• self-conceit
• swagger
• egotism
• self-centeredness
• cockiness
• superiority complex
• self-assumption
• conceit
• cheek
• bombast
• braggadocio
• strut
• self-partiality

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humility
• modesty
• shyness
• bashfulness
• unpretentiousness
• timidity
• diffidence
• demureness
• passivity
• unassumingness
• passiveness
• meekness
• self-doubt
• submissiveness
• retiringness
• lowliness
• timidness
• reserve
• quietness
• self-distrust
• mousiness
• reservedness

4

as in inference

an opinion arrived at through a process of reasoning

I am able to deduce several consequences from those premises

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inference
• deduction
• conclusion
• determination
• decision
• assumption
• induction
• verdict
• diagnosis
• eduction
• ruling
• resolution
• sequitur
• judgment
• guess
• conjecture
• presumption
• surmise
• deliverance
• supposition

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

Recent Examples of consequence

California has some of the strongest secure storage and child access prevention laws in the nation and legal consequences escalate if a child carries a weapon off-premises and causes great bodily injury or death, according to gun policy experts. —Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 May 2026

Several Los Angeles Times journalists visited Garden Grove and affected surrounding communities reporting on the situation that could have catastrophic consequences. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026

The consequences for retail investors were catastrophic. —Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

Researchers estimate that half a million people are still suffering long-term health consequences, including cases in which their lungs were permanently scarred by the chemicals, or irreversible damage to their legs left them unable to walk. —Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 23 May 2026

Phrases Containing consequence

• in consequence