consensual

adjective

con·sen·su·al kən-ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl

-shəl,

-shü-əl

Synonyms of consensual

: existing or made by mutual consent without an act of writing

a consensual contract

: involving or based on mutual consent

consensual acts

consensually adverb

Examples of consensual in a Sentence

She claims their relationship was consensual.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

The men have denied wrongdoing, saying that the encounters were consensual or misrepresented in the suit, according to The New York Times. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 11 Oct. 2026 Its restrictions cover suicide and self-harm promotion, eating disorder encouragement, body shaming, non-consensual intimate imagery, harassment, and animal cruelty. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026 Critics argue that the bill would expose people to prosecution for consensual conduct. — Ilana Turko, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026 In court, Allen denied both allegations, insisting the encounter was entirely consensual, and then proceeded to ignore a series of court orders and deadlines. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consensual

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin consensuālis, from Latin consensu-, stem of consensus "agreement, consensus" + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of consensual was in 1689

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

consension

consensual

consensus

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Consensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consensual. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

consensual

adjective

con·sen·su·al kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl

-ˈsen-shəl

: involving, made by, or based on shared agreement

a consensual contract

Medical Definition

consensual

adjective

con·sen·su·al kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsen-chəl

: existing or made by mutual consent

consensual sexual behavior

: relating to or being the constrictive pupillary response of an eye that is covered when the other eye is exposed to light

consensually

-ē

adverb

Legal Definition

consensual

adjective

con·sen·su·al kən-ˈsen-chə-wəl

: existing or made by mutual consent without any further act (as a writing)

: involving or based on mutual consent

consensual sexual intercourse

consensual

adjective

Examples of consensual in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Legal Definition

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