consequential
adjective
con·se·quen·tial ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen(t)-shəl 
1
: of the nature of a secondary result : indirect
insurance against consequential loss
2
: consequent
oversupply and the consequential plummeting prices
3
: having significant consequences : important
a grave and consequential event
consequential decisions
4
: self-important
consequentiality
ˌkän(t)-sə-ˌkwen(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē
noun consequentially
ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen(t)-sh(ə-)lē
adverb consequentialness
ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen(t)-shəl-nəs
noun 
Did you know?
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.
Synonyms
- attendant
- consequent
- due (to)
- resultant
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
There have been several consequential innovations in their computer software. The change to the schedule is not consequential.
Recent Examples on the Web For many of the 45 million borrowers currently owing a total of about $1.8 trillion today, this issue is far more consequential. 
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2022 However, Hazen said getting Carroll experience in the majors is more consequential. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 19 Aug. 2022 Yet the costs of the Western economic sanctions on Russia which have boomeranged are far more consequential to people’s lives and livelihoods around the world. Tilak Doshi, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Unlike Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Spider-Man: No Way Home, might not be as consequential for the MCU. Chris Smith, BGR, 10 July 2022 But the outcome couldn’t be more consequential: With fish stocks across the globe declining due to overfishing, consumers are demanding greater transparency about where the filets on their plates are sourced. Joshua Goodman, Anchorage Daily News, 22 June 2022 Workers spend over half of their waking hours in the workplace, so what happens there is extremely consequential in their lives. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2022 Where the bill could be truly consequential is in planting the seeds for technology adoption that drives emissions lower beyond 2030. Greg Ip, WSJ, 24 Aug. 2022 Pesident Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke for about two hours over a secure video call on Tuesday in what had been expected to be a highly consequential meeting for the two leaders amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 7 Dec. 2021 See More
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2022 However, Hazen said getting Carroll experience in the majors is more consequential. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 19 Aug. 2022 Yet the costs of the Western economic sanctions on Russia which have boomeranged are far more consequential to people’s lives and livelihoods around the world. Tilak Doshi, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Unlike Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Spider-Man: No Way Home, might not be as consequential for the MCU. Chris Smith, BGR, 10 July 2022 But the outcome couldn’t be more consequential: With fish stocks across the globe declining due to overfishing, consumers are demanding greater transparency about where the filets on their plates are sourced. Joshua Goodman, Anchorage Daily News, 22 June 2022 Workers spend over half of their waking hours in the workplace, so what happens there is extremely consequential in their lives. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2022 Where the bill could be truly consequential is in planting the seeds for technology adoption that drives emissions lower beyond 2030. Greg Ip, WSJ, 24 Aug. 2022 Pesident Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke for about two hours over a secure video call on Tuesday in what had been expected to be a highly consequential meeting for the two leaders amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 7 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
see consequent entry 1
First Known Use
1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Legal Definition
consequential
adjective
con·se·quen·tial ˌkän-si-ˈkwen-chəl
: of the nature of an indirect or secondary result
consequential
adjective
1
as in resultant
coming as a result his high-fat diet and the consequential weight gain Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- resultant
- consequent
- accompanying
- attendant
- concomitant
- due (to)
- coincident
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- causal
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
- important
- significant
- major
- historic
- meaningful
- momentous
- big
- substantial
- tectonic
- monumental
- eventful
- exceptional
- much
- decisive
- pivotal
- earthshaking
- earth-shattering
- material
- distinguished
- remarkable
- noteworthy
- serious
- weighty
- notable
- strategic
- outstanding
- crucial
- distinctive
- fatal
- seminal
- worthy
- valuable
- prominent
- fateful
- outstanding
- worthwhile
- great
- impressive
- sincere
- critical
- earnest
- famous
- key
- eminent
- essential
- grave
- illustrious
- prestigious
- central
- notorious
- vital
- heavy
- noble
- all-important
- renowned
- preeminent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inconsequential
- unimportant
- trivial
- insignificant
- small
- minor
- little
- negligible
- trifling
- inconsiderable
- slight
- worthless
- petty
- unknown
- paltry
- obscure
- anonymous
- nameless
- uncelebrated
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
- important
- smug
- proud
- arrogant
- vainglorious
- vain
- domineering
- selfish
- egotistic
- biggety
- complacent
- egoistic
- confident
- pompous
- prideful
- conceited
- self-important
- egotistical
- egoistical
- assured
- overweening
- bigheaded
- swellheaded
- bombastic
- assumptive
- bumptious
- blusterous
- self-conceited
- self-satisfied
- biggity
- supercilious
- cavalier
- stuck-up
- boastful
- uppity
- uppish
- masterful
- swaggering
- superior
- pontifical
- snobbish
- disdainful
- bragging
- braggart
- blustery
- braggy
- cocky
- fastuous
- pretentious
- peremptory
- imperious
- huffy
- overconfident
- snobby
- haughty
- snooty
- self-opinionated
- presumptuous
- presuming
- toplofty
- chesty
- patronizing
- lofty
- high-handed
- self-assertive
- condescending
- highfalutin
- high-and-mighty
- toploftical
- hifalutin
- high-hat
- self-asserting
- self-contented
- self-dramatizing
- self-adulatory
- self-assured
- lordly
- self-confident
- self-gratulatory
- holier-than-thou
- self-congratulatory
- self-glorifying
- self-affected
- self-applauding
- self-centered
- self-engrossed
- self-promoting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- modest
- humble
- diffident
- timid
- uncomplacent
- unpretentious
- meek
- unassuming
- egoless
- unassertive
- self-critical
- self-reproachful
- self-reproving
- self-doubting
- sheepish
- self-distrustful
- shrinking
- unarrogant
- introverted
- bashful
- mousy
- shy
- overmodest
- retiring
- demure
- down-to-earth
- mousey