consequential

/,kɔnsi'kwenʃl/

Thân thiện

The new policy had consequential effects on the community.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Following as a result or effect; resulting: "Consequential" describes something that happens as a direct or logical consequence of a previous action or event.
   • Having significant or important consequences; important, momentous: "Consequential" also describes something that is significant, influential, or carries considerable weight in its outcomes.

Usage and Examples

• As a result or effect:

  • The economic downturn and the consequential rise in unemployment were severe. (The rise in unemployment was a direct result of the downturn.)
  • He missed the crucial meeting, with consequential delays to the entire project. (The delays were an effect of him missing the meeting.)

• Having significant importance:

  • The CEO made a consequential decision to restructure the company. (The decision was very important and would have major effects.)
  • The treaty was a consequential agreement that reshaped international relations. (The treaty was momentous and highly influential.)

Advanced Usage

• "Consequential damages" (Legal/Formal term): Damages that are not a direct result of an act (like physical damage) but are its indirect or financial consequences.
  • The contract included a clause limiting liability for consequential damages.
• "Consequential loss": A loss that arises as an indirect consequence of a primary event, such as loss of profits following a fire.

Variants and Related Words

• Consequence (n): A result or effect of an action or condition.
• Consequentially (adv): As a result; in a way that is self-important.
• Inconsequential (adj): Unimportant, trivial; not following as a logical result.

Synonyms

• Resultant: Occurring or produced as a result.
• Momentous: Of great importance or significance.
• Significant: Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention.
• Important: Of great significance or value.

Antonyms

• Inconsequential: Not important or significant.
• Insignificant: Too small or unimportant to be worth consideration.
• Causeless: Having no cause or origin.

Notes on Different Meanings

The adjective "consequential" has two primary meanings that are related but distinct: 1. The causal/logical meaning (following as a result). This is the less common usage in everyday language. 2. The significance/importance meaning (having important consequences). This is the more frequent modern usage.

The older, now less common meaning of "self-important" or "pompous" (e.g., a consequential air) is derived from the idea of a person acting as if they are of great importance.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having important issues or results
   • the year's only really consequential legislation
   • an eventful decision

Từ đồng nghĩa

• eventful