consequence
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for consequence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A result or effect that follows from an action or cause.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use consequence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French consequence, from Latin consequentia, ultimately from consequi, "to follow along with."
Full origin of consequence →Frequently asked questions
What does “consequence” mean?
The word “consequence” means a result or effect that follows from an action or cause. In plain terms, what happens as a result of something you did.
How do you pronounce “consequence”?
“Consequence” is pronounced KON-sih-kwehns (/ˈkɑn.sɪ.kwɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “consequence” in a sentence?
Here is “consequence” used in a sentence: “Losing his job was a direct consequence of missing so many deadlines.”
What is another word for “consequence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “consequence” include aftercome.
What part of speech is “consequence”?
Depending on how it is used, “consequence” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “consequence” come from?
The word “consequence” comes from Latin. From Old French consequence, from Latin consequentia, ultimately from consequi, "to follow along with.".
Is “consequence” a common word?
“Consequence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “consequence” have?
“Consequence” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a result or effect that follows from an action or cause.
What is the difference between consequence and result?
Both name something that follows from an action or cause, but consequence often carries a negative or weighty shade — people "face the consequences" — while result is neutral and common in science, sport, and everyday reporting. Consequence also has a separate meaning of importance, as in "a matter of consequence", which result lacks.
Is a consequence always something bad?
No. A consequence is simply a result or effect that follows from an action or cause, and positive consequences are perfectly possible. The word leans negative in everyday speech because of fixed phrases like "suffer the consequences", but the core meaning is neutral.
Can consequence be used as a verb, as in "to consequence a child"?
In parenting and behaviour-management contexts, "to consequence" means to impose a specific penalty on someone, especially a child, for misbehaviour. Many editors and traditional speakers dislike the verb, so it is best confined to those professional settings; in general writing, "impose consequences on" is the safer wording.