Definition

Noun: 1. General agreement among a group: A situation where all or most members of a group agree on a judgment, opinion, or decision. It implies a collective opinion or position reached through discussion and compromise, not necessarily unanimous consent but a prevailing, shared view. 2. A principle or belief held in common: A shared understanding or set of assumptions that forms the basis for cooperation or social order.

Usage and Examples

• Basic Usage: Describes a state of agreement within a group.
  • After hours of debate, the committee finally reached a consensus on the new policy.
  • There is a growing scientific consensus that climate change is a serious threat.
• Usage with Prepositions:
  • consensus on/about [a specific topic or issue]: The team needs to build a consensus on the project's priorities.
  • consensus among/between [the members of a group]: There is a broad consensus among economists regarding the cause of the inflation.
  • by consensus [indicating the method of decision-making]: The group operates by consensus, so every voice is heard.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to reach/achieve/build a consensus": The process of arriving at a general agreement.
  • The mediator helped the two parties build a consensus.
• "broad/general consensus": Indicates widespread but not necessarily complete agreement.
  • There is a broad consensus that the law needs reform.
• "emerging consensus": Describes an agreement that is beginning to form.
  • An emerging consensus suggests the plan is viable.
• "unspoken/tacit consensus": An agreement that is understood or implied without being formally stated.
  • An unspoken consensus kept the team working together smoothly.

Variants and Related Words

• Consensual (adjective): Relating to or involving consent or consensus.
  • The agreement was entirely consensual.
• Consent (noun/verb): While related, "consent" refers to individual permission or agreement, whereas "consensus" refers to collective group agreement.

Synonyms

• Agreement: A more general term for harmony of opinion.
• Accord: Formal agreement.
• Unanimity: Complete agreement by all people involved (stronger than consensus, which allows for some dissent).
• Concurrence: Agreement in opinion.

Antonyms

• Disagreement: A lack of consensus or agreement.
• Discord: Disagreement that leads to conflict.
• Dissension: Strong disagreement, especially within a group.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "Consensus of opinion": This phrase is common but is often considered redundant by style guides, as "consensus" itself implies a collective opinion. "General consensus" is similarly used.
  • The consensus of opinion was to postpone the meeting. (Common usage, though "the consensus was" is more concise.)

Noun

1. agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole
   • the lack of consensus reflected differences in theoretical positions
   • those rights and obligations are based on an unstated consensus