Meaning & use
consequential
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Meanings
adjectivecomparableformal
Having important effects or results, so that it matters a great deal.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb: a consequential decision, the vote was consequential.
Patterns
- consequential for someone
- consequential to something
The court's ruling was one of the most consequential of the decade.
Choosing a college is a consequential decision.
Her resignation proved more consequential than anyone expected.
adjectivebefore a nounlegalformal
Following as a direct result of something else.
Grammar: Always before a noun and often in legal wording: consequential losses.
Patterns
- consequential on something
The contract excludes consequential damages from a delay.
The company reported consequential costs from the fire.
He paid for the repair and any consequential harm.
adjectivecomparableold-fashioned
Showing an air of self-importance.
Grammar: Usually describes a person's manner: a consequential walk.
The consequential official strode into the hall.
He gave a consequential cough before speaking.
She had a consequential air that irritated her coworkers.
Common combinations
- consequential decision
- Buying a house is a consequential decision.
- deeply consequential
- The treaty proved deeply consequential for the region.
- consequential damages
- The clause limits consequential damages.
- highly consequential
- It was a highly consequential election.
- consequential change
- The report calls for consequential change in policy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- significant
- Significant is the everyday word for important or large effects, while consequential stresses the chain of results.
- momentous
- Momentous suggests a decision or event of great, lasting weight, which is a stronger claim than consequential.
- important
- Important is the plain choice and can describe any matter that counts, regardless of its results.
- far-reaching
- Far-reaching describes effects that spread widely, whereas consequential only says the effects are large.
Opposites
Word family
- consequence noun
- a result of an action
- consequently adverb
- as a result
- inconsequential adjective
- not important
- consequent adjective
- following as a result
Commonly confused: consequential or consequent? consequential or inconsequential?
consequential vs consequent
Consequent means following as a result, while consequential means producing major effects.
consequential vs inconsequential
Inconsequential means the opposite, being of little importance.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'consequential' to mean 'having large effects'?
Choose one answer.
A consequential error is one whose results are important. The other sentences use the word in ways that do not make sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “consequential”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.