Definition of consequencenext
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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

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 consequence Bloody consequences ensue before it’s casually revealed that everyone gets to make one wish on the One Wish Willow, which actually comes true. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 May 2026 Once Nikki returns to herself, she’s still left with extreme trauma and consequences, given that the possessed version of her murdered two people. Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026 This will have dramatic consequences. Rob Schmitz, NPR, 16 May 2026 Gaspar-Oliveri doesn’t sensationalize the boy’s behavior but presents it as a devastating consequence of a stunted childhood. Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for consequence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consequence
Noun
  • As a result, the central government took drastic steps in 2020 to rein in a freewheeling property sector that once accounted for 30% of the country’s economic activity.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
  • In neighboring Uganda, officials said laboratory results confirmed two cases in the capital of Kampala − including one death − among people traveling from Congo with no apparent link to each other.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Palmer’s shot is well blocked by Marc Guehi — which underlines the importance of their decision-making in these moments.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • From 1949 to 1987, the Federal Communications Commission held radio and television stations to a standard requiring them to air opposing sides of public issues of importance, a policy known as the fairness doctrine.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Think about the arrogance behind that.
    Jovani Patterson, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
  • But his temper and arrogance were equally unparalleled, constantly leading him to argue with authority figures, from referees to his own managers.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • This is particularly important at the edge, where a unified foundation that brings together connectivity, sensing and inference with scalable processing and software is key.
    Iri Trashanki, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • Sure, there are dystopian shadings in the inference that robots will form their own communities, leaving people behind.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • As part of the new effort, the parties will work to establish a new standardized process that allows advertisers to connect outcome information to exposure data via a single integration point, which will support more consistent use.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 13 May 2026
  • The way a leader engages people — how trust is built, how alignment is created, how dissent is handled — ultimately determines whether decisions translate into outcomes.
    Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • That projection is based on the player’s performance in each metric over the last three seasons (five for goalies), weighted for recency where more recent seasons carry more significance and regressed to the mean.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • The significance of these findings The study suggests human right-handedness may be deeply rooted in the same evolutionary changes that transformed how our ancestors moved and interacted with the world.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • More Crucial Nvidia’s superiority is most evident in training.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • The aircraft has played an important role in strengthening Israel’s aerial superiority and long-range strike capacity.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • The people’s champ might wind up being UFC CEO Dana White, whose letter to the White House, first reported by the Closing Line, could help relieve Congressional gridlock regarding the deduction limit.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 14 May 2026
  • And as for the Premier League, there is every chance that Southampton beat Hull, return to the top table in English football, and then the Premier League inherits a scenario where the EFL has issued a points deduction and they are being asked to impose it.
    Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Consequence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consequence. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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