1
as in resultant
coming as a result
his high-fat diet and the consequential weight gain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in important
having great meaning or lasting effect
the American Civil War is often regarded as the nation's most consequential event since its founding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
for such a consequential businessman, he's head of a rather small company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 consequential
In private use, the erosion is subtler but no less consequential.
—
Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Risk is one of the most consequential currencies in geopolitics, and Washington has spent years constructing an elaborate risk architecture around China.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Something genuinely consequential will break at some point.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Addiction is one of the most common and consequential chronic medical conditions in the United States.
—Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consequential
Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Risk is one of the most consequential currencies in geopolitics, and Washington has spent years constructing an elaborate risk architecture around China.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Something genuinely consequential will break at some point.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Addiction is one of the most common and consequential chronic medical conditions in the United States.
—Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consequential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consequential
Adjective
-
This pace of growth means that every new generation of AI comes with an order-of-magnitude increase in energy, water demand and the resultant CO2 impact.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The resultant pollution from the Canadian blazes spread across Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio and even reached as far as Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Mississippi, according to the report.—
Sharon Udasin,
The Hill,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
As for the ever important flame, a high-performance burner powered by bio-GPL produced from 100 percent renewable feedstocks by energy company ENI is at the core of the torch.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Its mass is the most important factor in determining both its lifetime and its fate, with other secondary factors, such as metallicity (or the fraction of heavy elements present within it), also playing a role.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, a young Denholm Elliott makes for a delightfully smug Edgar Linton, and the underrated Angela Thornton brings to Isabella Linton a welcome sensuality.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Dealing with prying relatives or well-meaning (or not-so-well-meaning) smug married friends?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
My encouragement of resistance to the draft resulted in my being indicted by the assistant U.S. attorney in my hometown of Pensacola, and my consequent decision to immigrate to Canada.—
Philip Mullins,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Reversing these toxic incentives would go a long way to reducing the overmedicalization and consequent overprescription with which MAHA is concerned.—
Dr. James S. Gordon,
Time,
18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Earlier this week, the UN Refugee agency said a significant number of residents had left Al-Hol camp, the other major detention camp in Syria, and that the Syrian government plans to relocate them.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The direct meeting with Grossi is a significant step after Iran suspended all cooperation with the IAEA following the 12-day war in June with Israel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Trained as an attorney, Levine is very proud of his accomplishments, launching his FM station when FM was not doing well.—
Richard Wagoner,
Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Nutrition is key to our overall health, and farmers are proud to grow and raise a diverse range of crops and protein for consumers to enjoy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
This latest release coincides with a major celebration of his spiritual organization, the incarnation month of its second guru, Shah Satnam Singh.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.—
Sophia Solano,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consequential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consequential. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
