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consequent

noun
con·​se·​quent | \ ˈkän(t)-sə-kwənt How to pronounce consequent (audio) , -ˌkwent How to pronounce consequent (audio) \

Definition of consequent

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : deduction sense 2b
b : the conclusion of a conditional sentence
2 : the second term of a ratio

consequent

adjective

Definition of consequent (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : following as a result or effect her new job and consequent relocation
2 : observing logical sequence : rational
Synonyms & Antonyms Subsequent vs. Consequent More Example Sentences Learn More about consequent

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Subsequent vs. Consequent

Adjective

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: Noun

 For decades, the more common practice has been to play those six-bar consequents twice as fast. — Matthew Guerrieri, San Francisco Chronicle, "How the classical took control of the jazz in ‘Rhapsody in Blue’," 28 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 Given this predicament and the consequent struggle between longing and disgust, what can one do but seek to annul oneself, to transcend oneself, escape from oneself? — Tim Parks, Harper's magazine, "Murder Italian Style," 19 Aug. 2019 This led to several consequent presentations at both TFLA and ACTFL Conferences. — Karen Zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "SUNDAY CONVERSATION: School namesake excited about start of classes in KISD," 21 July 2019 Popeil’s retirement coincided roughly with our acquisition of St. Isidore Farm and the consequent passing of TV from our routine. — Bulletin Board, Twin Cities, "Sunday Bulletin Board: A funny thing happened on the way to the James J. Hill House!," 7 July 2019 The consequent protrusion, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, may help reduce the chance of a crease developing in the middle of the screen over time, one of the people said. — latimes.com, "Samsung completes folding phone redesign after screen failures," 4 July 2019 The national captain then, and consequent national hero, is now Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan. — The Economist, "For India and Pakistan, cricket is war by other means," 22 June 2019 Any pressure applied to part of the mat causes a distortion in the fibres and a consequent change in the amount of light transmitted. — The Economist, "The way people walk can be used for ID and health checks," 12 July 2018 During the consequent hearings, Wheeler, Hayden, and Powell testified about their surveys. — Johnforristerross, Longreads, "Taming the Great American Desert," 2 July 2018 Part of the minute lead characters' effectiveness stems from their minuscule stature and consequent near-invisibility, hence their ability to zip around mostly unnoticed. — Todd Mccarthy, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Ant-Man and the Wasp': Film Review," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'consequent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of consequent

Noun

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

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for consequent

Noun and Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin consequent-, consequens, present participle of consequi to follow along, from com- + sequi to follow — more at sue

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More Definitions for consequent

consequent

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of consequent

somewhat formal : happening as a result of a particular action or set of conditions

See the full definition for consequent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

consequent

adjective
con·​se·​quent | \ ˈkän-si-kwənt How to pronounce consequent (audio) \

Kids Definition of consequent

: following as a result or effect Weather forecasters predicted heavy rain and consequent flooding.

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More from Merriam-Webster on consequent

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for consequent

Spanish Central: Translation of consequent

Nglish: Translation of consequent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of consequent for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about consequent

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