CONSEQUENCE Synonyms: 252 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'consequence' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of consequence are importance , moment , significance , and weight . While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects. // the style you choose is of little consequence

Q: When might 'importance' be a better fit than 'consequence'?

Although the words importance and consequence have much in common, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone. // a region with no cities of importance

Q: When is 'moment' a more appropriate choice than 'consequence'?

While in some cases nearly identical to consequence , moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence. // a decision of great moment

Q: When is it sensible to use 'significance' instead of 'consequence'?

The words significance and consequence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized. // the treaty's significance

Q: In what contexts can 'weight' take the place of 'consequence'?

The words weight and consequence can be used in similar contexts, but weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something. // the argument carried no weight with the judge

consequence

noun

ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkwen(t)s

Definition of consequence

as in result

a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause the flood was an inevitable consequence of the prolonged, heavy rains

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in importance

the quality or state of being important a mistake that was of no great consequence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in arrogance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in inference

an opinion arrived at through a process of reasoning I am able to deduce several consequences from those premises

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun consequence differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of consequence are importance, moment, significance, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

When might importance be a better fit than consequence?

Although the words importance and consequence have much in common, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When is moment a more appropriate choice than consequence?

While in some cases nearly identical to consequence, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

When is it sensible to use significance instead of consequence?

The words significance and consequence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

In what contexts can weight take the place of consequence?

The words weight and consequence can be used in similar contexts, but weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of consequence An everyday habit during a long-haul flight could have painful consequences for certain travelers — with a recent case highlighting some serious dangers. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 The arrival of a new and mysterious cadet will also raise questions that could have consequences beyond the classroom. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026 Fallout from the data sale Then there are fears this case may set precedent or have long-term consequences for workers. — Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 Many corrosive consequences would follow such a race to the bottom. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consequence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for consequence

Noun

The story centers on two ex-lovers who come back into each other’s lives after spending decades apart, only to find old feelings stirring with messy and mixed results.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Otherworldly was the result at Mugler, as well, where outer eyelashes got extruded like whiskers.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of result

Noun

The princess has also increasingly made the importance of nature a focus of her work, including last year's release of a four-part video series on the power of nature.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Silver’s comments underscore the importance the league places on obtaining that information.

— Jessica Golden,Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of importance

Noun

Ilya is looking for work as an assistant, and the professor, with his dandyish nerd arrogance, tells him to look at a paper he’s written and come back in a few days.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
This standalone novel looks at the cult of celebrity, the bond among parents and children, entitlement and arrogance, all wrapped into a tightly wound plot that’s an evocative historical steeped in the Great Depression.

— Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogance

Noun

The company’s product information states that inference runs locally on the robot without requiring a cloud connection.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Mock-model services can simulate responses, latency, token metadata and failures without repeatedly generating real inference.

— Pritam Debnath, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of inference

Noun

Whatever the outcome, the presidential vote may resolve little.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
The timing suggested that the United States was consciously undercutting an ostensible ally, pressuring Zelensky to step aside or risk catastrophic outcomes on the battlefield.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of outcome

Noun

Bears Ears is a living cultural landscape and sacred ancestral homeland of deep significance to Tribal Nations.

— Mary Beth Laughton, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
Hassen discussed the significance of Type V composite pressure vessels, and their potential.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of significance

Noun

Meanwhile, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which sees space superiority as essential to winning future wars, is developing a range of space capabilities as well as a suite of weapons that can attack satellites.

— Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
Credibility is affected deeply by strategic cultural assessments about superiority and inferiority, and notions about when, where, how and for whom the credibility matters.

— Christopher Nichols, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of superiority

Noun

Donors can avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation and claim an income tax deduction by donating private shares.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Investors tend to be OK with only a percentage of investment returned in the form of a tax credit and deductions and losses claimed on tax returns.

— Kim Jackson, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of deduction

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consent (to)

consequence

consequences

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Style

“Consequence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consequence. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of consequence

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Synonyms of consequence

noun

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