consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl 
-shəl,
-shü-əl
1
: existing or made by mutual consent without an act of writing
a consensual contract
2
: 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
Hegseth said the allegations are false and that the encounter was consensual.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Hegseth has vigorously denied any wrongdoing and says the encounter in 2017 was consensual.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2024
Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and has denied any wrongdoing.
BACKGROUND CHECKS OK'D
Trump's transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weeks-long delay.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Hegseth and his attorneys have denied the allegations and maintained that the encounter was consensual.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for consensual 
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.
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Hegseth has vigorously denied any wrongdoing and says the encounter in 2017 was consensual.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2024
Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and has denied any wrongdoing.
BACKGROUND CHECKS OK'D
Trump's transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weeks-long delay.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Hegseth and his attorneys have denied the allegations and maintained that the encounter was consensual.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for consensual
Dictionary Entries Near consensual
Cite this Entry
“Consensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consensual. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
1
: existing or made by mutual consent
consensual sexual behavior
2
: relating to or being the constrictive pupillary response of an eye that is covered when the other eye is exposed to light
Legal Definition
consensual
adjective
con·sen·su·al
kən-ˈsen-chə-wəl
1
: existing or made by mutual consent without any further act (as a writing)
2
: involving or based on mutual consent
consensual sexual intercourse
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share