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consequence Definition

con·se·quence (kän′si kwens′, -kwəns)

noun

  1. a result of an action, process, etc.; outcome; effect
  2. a logical result or conclusion; inference
  3. the relation of effect to cause
  4. importance as a cause or influence a matter of slight consequence
  5. importance in rank; influence a person of consequence

Etymology: OFr < L consequentia < consequens, prp. of consequi, to follow after < com-, with + sequi, to follow: see sequent

consequence Idioms

in consequence (of)

as a result (of)

take the consequences

to accept the results of one's actions

consequence Synonyms

consequence

n.

  1. Effect

    result, outgrowth, end, outcome; see result.

  2. Importance

    moment, value, weight; see importance 1. See syn. study at importance, result.

in consequence (of)

consequent on, as a result of, following, consequently; see because.

take the consequences

accept the results of one's actions, suffer, bear the burden of; see endure 2.

consequence Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • failure: The consequences of such failure affect not only how we think about our moral action.
  • sin: We responded to God's love in Christ and now rejoice in being set free from the consequence of sin.
  • warming: One of the indirect consequences of global warming in mountain regions is increasing risk of infectious diseases.
  • breach: The consequences of security breaches can be disastrous in terms of the public profile and the operation of your business.
  • war: Question: Can I ask you more about the consequences of war which you say is the reason people went on the march.
  • interruption: It accepts no responsibility for the consequences of interruptions or delays, however caused.

Converse of object

  • suffer: The question you must ask is - are you prepared to suffer the consequences of your system failing or malfunctioning?
  • mitigate: The Revenue has also taken steps to mitigate the consequences for customers.
  • predict: Children as young as four or five can usually generate alternatives and predict consequences, but advanced decision making skills come later.
  • face: A train of events is set in motion that requires Farr to ' come out ' or face the consequences.
  • foresee: It is possible to foresee also other consequences of the Soviet-Finnish War.
  • have: Benefit cuts have already had dire consequences for large numbers of people with HIV.

Adjective modifier

  • unintended: There was also evidence of an unintended consequence of the current tax regime.
  • disastrous: Given the disastrous consequences of warfare today, any reduction in conflict between states is positive.
  • dire: Benefit cuts have already had dire consequences for large numbers of people with HIV.
  • inevitable: This excess demand, or short supply, has the inevitable consequences on the housing market.
  • devastating: Sometimes failures in these areas can have damaging, or even devastating, consequences for patients.
  • serious: Any breach of this action could have serious consequences for the club.

Noun used with modifier

  • knock-on: Ease of modifiability of requirements documents with automatic adjustment of knock-on consequences.
  • tax: We also draft and advise on consultancy agreements, including the tax consequences of proposed and existing consultancy arrangements.
consequence Quotes

We had better remain in union with England, even at the risk of becoming a subordinate species of Northumberland, as far as national consequence is concerned, than remedy ourselves by even hinting the possibility of a rupture. But there is no harm in wishing Scotland tohavejust somuchill-nature, according toher own proverb, as may keep her good-nature from being abused.

—Scott, Sir Walter

Aux colonies, l'infrastructure e¤  conomique est e¤  galement une superstructure. La cause est conse¤  quence: on est riche parce que blanc, on est blanc parce que riche. In the colonies the economic substructure is also a superstructure. The cause is the consequence; you are rich because you are white, you are white because you are rich.

—Fanon, Frantz Omar

Being offended is the natural consequence of leaving one's home.

—Lebowitz, Fran(ces Ann)

   It is incident to physicians, I am afraid, beyond all other men, to mistake subsequence for consequence.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

I am imbued with two deep impressions; the first, that science knows no country; the second, which seems to contradict the first, although it is really a direct consequence of it†that science is the highest personification of the nation. Science knows no country because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world. Science is the highest personification of the nation because that nation will remain the first which carries the furthest the works of thought and intelligence.

—Pasteur, Louis

   The concentration camp isthefinal expressionof human separateness and its ultimate consequence. It is organized abandonment.

—Miller, Arthur