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
David Bloom, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
In the 1890s, the US significantly raised its customs duties, creating the most consequential tariff of the 19th century and Worth’s clothes became extremely costly to export.
—Brian Ng, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
The La Crosse coaches promptly offered Sonnenschein a spot on the team and brought him to campus for that consequential visit.
—Sam Brief, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
The son of bona fide communists died last week at 86 as one of the most consequential figures in the modern-day conservative movement.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for consequential
Cite this Entry
“Consequential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consequential. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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