Consequence — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkwen(t)s/ con·se·quence

Meaning & Definition of Consequence

Consequence (noun)

  1. a conclusion derived through logic, inference
  2. something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions
  3. importance with respect to power to produce an effect

Consequence (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause

    "the flood was an inevitable consequence of the prolonged, heavy rains"

    similar: aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, corollary, development, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot, matter of course
    related: ramification, denouement, echo, implication, repercussion, afterclap, afterglow, aftershock, blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect, spin-off
    opposite: antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason
    near: consideration, determinant, factor, base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus, mother, origin, root, source, spring

  2. the quality or state of being important

    "a mistake that was of no great consequence"

    similar: account, import, importance, magnitude, moment, momentousness, significance, weight, weightiness
    related: celebrity, distinction, eminence, fame, note, noteworthiness, notoriety, preeminence, prominence, renown, store, substance, substantiveness, value, worth, worthiness, gravity, seriousness, authority, control, dominion, mastery, potency, power, sway, mark, name, report, reputation, repute, centrality, essentiality, essentialness, cachet, position, prestige, rank, standing, stature, status, glory, greatness, honor, illustriousness
    opposite: insignificance, littleness, puniness, slightness, smallness, triviality
    near: paltriness, pettiness, valuelessness, worthlessness, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, odium, opprobrium, shame, anonymity, obscurity

  3. an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims

    "a junior executive who strutted around the office with all of the consequence of a peacock in pinstripes"

    similar: arrogance, assumption, bumptiousness, haughtiness, hauteur, high horse, huffiness, imperiousness, loftiness, lordliness, masterfulness, peremptoriness, pomposity, pompousness, presumptuousness, pretense, pretension, pretentiousness, self-consequence, self-importance, superciliousness, superiority, toploftiness
    related: authoritativeness, bossiness, bowwow, brag, dominance, high-handedness, condescension, disdain, scorn, chest-thumping, inflation, self-assertion, side (chiefly British), snobbery, snobbishness, snobbism, snootiness, attitude, cheek, cheekiness, impertinence, impudence, sauciness, boastfulness, bombast, braggadocio, bravado, strut, swagger, triumphalism, vaingloriousness, vainglory, cockiness, complacence, conceit, egoism, egotism, pride, pridefulness, self-assumption, self-centeredness, self-complacency, self-conceit, self-content, self-contentment, self-opinion, self-partiality, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, vanity, superiority complex
    opposite: humility, modesty, unassumingness, unpretentiousness
    near: bashfulness, demureness, retiringness, shyness, diffidence, self-distrust, self-doubt, timidity, timidness, lowliness, meekness, mousiness, passiveness, passivity, submissiveness, quietness, reserve, reservedness

  4. an opinion arrived at through a process of reasoning

    "I am able to deduce several consequences from those premises"

    similar: conclusion, deduction, determination, eduction, induction, inference, sequitur
    related: decision, deliverance, diagnosis, judgment, resolution, ruling, verdict, conjecture, guess, surmise, assumption, presumption, supposition

Related Entry: Self-consequence (noun)

Self-consequence is a different word from Consequence. The synonyms below are for self-consequence, not for consequence.

  1. an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims

    "had the self-consequence of someone who was born wealthy and never had to work a day in his life"

    similar: arrogance, assumption, bumptiousness, consequence, haughtiness, hauteur, high horse, huffiness, imperiousness, loftiness, lordliness, masterfulness, peremptoriness, pomposity, pompousness, presumptuousness, pretense, pretension, pretentiousness, self-importance, superciliousness, superiority, toploftiness
    related: authoritativeness, bossiness, bowwow, brag, dominance, high-handedness, condescension, disdain, scorn, chest-thumping, inflation, self-assertion, side (chiefly British), snobbery, snobbishness, snobbism, snootiness, attitude, cheek, cheekiness, impertinence, impudence, sauciness, boastfulness, bombast, braggadocio, bravado, strut, swagger, triumphalism, vaingloriousness, vainglory, cockiness, complacence, conceit, egoism, egotism, pride, pridefulness, self-assumption, self-centeredness, self-complacency, self-conceit, self-content, self-contentment, self-opinion, self-partiality, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, vanity, superiority complex
    opposite: humility, modesty, unassumingness, unpretentiousness
    near: bashfulness, demureness, retiringness, shyness, diffidence, self-distrust, self-doubt, timidity, timidness, lowliness, meekness, mousiness, passiveness, passivity, submissiveness, quietness, reserve, reservedness

Related Entry: In consequence (phrase)

In consequence is a different word from Consequence. The synonyms below are for in consequence, not for consequence.

  1. for this or that reason

    "She got a flat tire on the way to work; in consequence, she arrived an hour late."

    similar: accordingly, consequently, ergo, hence, so, therefore, thereupon, thus, wherefore

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Consequence

The most common words with a similar meaning to Consequence:

aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, corollary, development, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot, account, import, importance, magnitude, moment, momentousness, significance, weight, weightiness, arrogance, assumption, bumptiousness, haughtiness, hauteur, high horse, huffiness, imperiousness, loftiness, lordliness, masterfulness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Consequence

Words with the opposite meaning of Consequence:

antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason, insignificance, littleness, puniness, slightness, smallness, triviality, humility, modesty, unassumingness, unpretentiousness

Related Words for Consequence

ramification, denouement, echo, implication, repercussion, afterclap, afterglow, aftershock, blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect, spin-off, celebrity, distinction, eminence, fame, note, noteworthiness, notoriety, preeminence, prominence, renown, store, substance, substantiveness, value, worth

Near Antonyms of Consequence

consideration, determinant, factor, base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus, mother, origin, root, source, spring, paltriness, pettiness, valuelessness, worthlessness, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, odium, opprobrium

Origin & Etymology of Consequence

Middle English, "result, outcome, something following logically from a premise," borrowed from Anglo-French consequens, consequence, borrowed from Latin consequentia "succession of events, logical outcome, necessary sequence," noun derivative of consequent-, consequens, past participle of consequī "to come after, succeed in time, follow as a necessary consequence" consequent:2

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Consequence

Words & Phrases Containing Consequence

in consequence, self-consequence, in consequence of

Frequently Asked Questions about Consequence

What does "Consequence" mean?

"Consequence" means a conclusion derived through logic, inference. As a noun, it is defined as: a conclusion derived through logic, inference. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Consequence"?

Other words for "Consequence" include aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, corollary, development and effect. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Consequence" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Consequence"?

There are 182 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Consequence". Common alternatives include aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, corollary, development, effect, fate and fruit.

What is the opposite of "Consequence"?

Antonyms of "Consequence" include antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason, insignificance, littleness and puniness. Near antonyms include consideration, determinant, factor and base.

How do you use "Consequence" in a sentence?

Examples of "Consequence" in a sentence: "the flood was an inevitable consequence of the prolonged, heavy rains"; "a mistake that was of no great consequence"; "a junior executive who strutted around the office with all of the consequence of a peacock in pinstripes".

Is "Consequence" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Consequence" is a noun.

Is "Consequence" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Consequence" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Consequence"?

"Consequence" is pronounced /ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkwen(t)s/ and divided into syllables as con·se·quence.