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
Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
The victor will play a monumental role in shaping consequential international dynamics --but the uncertainty swirling around the election is already having an impact on global issues.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Equally consequential will be Trump’s management on the world stage.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
The outcome will be consequential for markets on many fronts, including dictating policies that could hurt, or boost, different industries, as well as tax and spending plans that will influence the direction of interest rates and the U.S. dollar.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near consequential
Cite this Entry
“Consequential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consequential. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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consequential
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