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
During her testimony, Hermoso denied Rubiales’ claim that the kiss, which caused worldwide outrage, was consensual.
—
Scott Thompson, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025
While Vana insisted the trysts were consensual, her older sister saw abuse instead.
—Sara Coello, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025
Bryant turned himself into police on July 4, three days after the accuser filed a complaint to authorities, before he was formally charged by district attorney Mark Hurlbert in the small town of Eagle, Colorado, on July 18..
Bryant always maintained the encounter was consensual.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
The comedian, who worked on BBC and Channel 4 shows, has vehemently denied the claims and has said all of his relationships were consensual.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
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.
Scott Thompson, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025
While Vana insisted the trysts were consensual, her older sister saw abuse instead.
—Sara Coello, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025
Bryant turned himself into police on July 4, three days after the accuser filed a complaint to authorities, before he was formally charged by district attorney Mark Hurlbert in the small town of Eagle, Colorado, on July 18..
Bryant always maintained the encounter was consensual.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
The comedian, who worked on BBC and Channel 4 shows, has vehemently denied the claims and has said all of his relationships were consensual.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
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 8 Feb. 2025.
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