consequent

1 of 2

noun

con·se·quent ˈkän(t)-sə-kwənt

-ˌkwent

Synonyms of consequent next

: deduction sense 2b

: the conclusion of a conditional sentence

: the second term of a ratio

consequent

2 of 2

adjective

: following as a result or effect

her new job and consequent relocation

: observing logical sequence : rational

Did you know?

Subsequent vs. Consequent

The English language has many ways to indicate that something has come after another thing, but a number of these words have subtle differences that you may want to observe.

Something is subsequent if it follows something else in time, order, or place. Its meaning is very similar to that of following or later, but it has a more formal tone to it and may imply that something not only follows but in some way grows out of or is otherwise closely connected with what precedes it (“their courtship and subsequent marriage”).

Consequent may also be used of something that follows, but that does so explicitly as a result of something else (“I said an insensitive thing and the consequent argument lasted for days”).

There may be occasions when either subsequent or consequent would work ("her wounding and subsequent [or consequent] loss of blood"); your choice in such cases would depend upon whether you want to stress the order of events or the causal relationship between one event and another.

Examples of consequent in a Sentence

Adjective Weather forecasters predict heavy rains and consequent flooding. Falling sales and a consequent loss of profits forced the company to lay off more workers.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Noun

More babies are being born preterm or at low birth weight consequent to a mother’s prolonged exposure to severe heat or forest fire smoke during pregnancy. —

Frederica Perera, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024 Then, Carbondale become a center of second-home construction, along with the consequent build up in services, tourism, and amenities. —

Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Adjective

However, looking back at past Pixar announcements at D23 and the consequent timelines that followed until the new film’s release, there typically is at least two years between the announcement and the release date. —

Yasmeen Hamadeh, People.com, 6 Oct. 2024 The project sets out to highlight global crisis of overconsumption and the consequent fashion waste dumped in the global south. —

Rhonda Richford, WWD, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for consequent

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "effect, result taken as a precedent," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, "consequence, reasoning," borrowed from Late Latin consequent-, consequens, noun derivative of Latin consequent-, consequens "following as a logical consequence" — more at consequent entry 2

Adjective

Middle English, "resulting, conclusive," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "following logically," borrowed from Latin consequent-, consequens "following in time, following as a logical consequence, consistent," from present participle of consequor, consequī "to come after, follow, keep pace with, succeed in time, follow as a necessary consequence, bring about, acquire" from con- con- + sequor, sequī "to follow" — more at sue

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of consequent was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Consequent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consequent. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

consequent

adjective

con·se·quent

ˈkän(t)-si-kwənt,

-sə-ˌkwent

: following as a result or effect

Last Updated: 7 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

victuals

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

consequent

noun

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Examples of consequent in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near consequent

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition