consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl
-shəl,
-shü-əl
1
: existing or made by mutual consent without an act of writing
a consensual contract
2
: involving or based on mutual consent
consensual acts
consensually
adverb
Examples of consensual in a Sentence
She claims their relationship was consensual.
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time of the case, Bryant admitted to adultery with a 19-year-old resort hotel worker in Colorado but denied the rape allegations, always maintaining that the encounter was consensual.
—
George Ramsay, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing.
—
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
Hegseth has maintained that the encounter was consensual, and local law enforcement did not press charges.
—
Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 7 Feb. 2025
Alvarez, through his crisis team, said the act was consensual, given the behavior that occurred off camera between the two actors almost two months prior to filming.
—
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025
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Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin consensuālis, from Latin consensu-, stem of consensus "agreement, consensus" + -ālis -al entry 1
First Known Use
1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near consensual
Cite this Entry
“Consensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consensual. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl
-ˈsen-shəl
: involving, made by, or based on shared agreement
a consensual contract
Medical Definition
consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsen-chəl
1
: existing or made by mutual consent
consensual sexual behavior
2
: relating to or being the constrictive pupillary response of an eye that is covered when the other eye is exposed to light
Legal Definition
consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsen-chə-wəl
1
: existing or made by mutual consent without any further act (as a writing)
2
: involving or based on mutual consent
consensual sexual intercourse
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