consequential
adjective
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Consequential dates from the 17th century and can be traced back to the Latin verb consequi, meaning "to follow along." Consequi, in turn, combines the prefix con-, meaning "through" or "with," and sequi, meaning "to follow." The English words sequel, second, and suitor are among the offspring of sequi. Henry Fielding's 1728 comedy Love in Several Masques introduced the meaning of "important" to consequential, which had until that point been used primarily in the context of results. Evidence for this usage declined temporarily in the 19th century, causing its acceptability to be questioned by such commentators as H. W. Fowler; it resurfaced in the 20th century, however, and is now considered standard.
Examples of consequential in a Sentence
Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Lame Duck Known for its incessant, sometimes humorous, often unbelievable, but still consequential quacking, the lame duck, in theory, will eventually depart for Florida and stay there, becoming non-migratory.
—Christopher Gangemi, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
The logic Burnett saw on that Borneo evening of the first finale in 2000 now defined his most consequential performer.
—Shaan Merchant, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
But the indictment’s most consequential allegations center on what happened after Washington intensified sanctions pressure on Venezuela’s oil industry beginning in 2019.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for consequential
Cite this Entry
“Consequential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consequential. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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consequential
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consequential
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