as in reciprocal
agreed to by the people involved; done with the consent of the people involved
a consensual decision She claims their relationship was consensual.
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Recent Examples of consensual
Prosecutors accused 37-year-old James Strahler of creating more than 700 non-consensual images and videos of adult women and minors, harassing the women with phone calls, messages and online postings.
—
Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Investigators located the messages between Villigram and the undercover officer during a consensual search of Villigram’s cellphone, according to the court document.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Report it immediately and be prepared for every move, every smile, every sip of a drink, to be examined for signs that this was, if not consensual, somehow deserved — a gray area of shared responsibility.
—Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026
Fairfax said the encounters were consensual and refused calls to resign.
—Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consensual
Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Investigators located the messages between Villigram and the undercover officer during a consensual search of Villigram’s cellphone, according to the court document.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Report it immediately and be prepared for every move, every smile, every sip of a drink, to be examined for signs that this was, if not consensual, somehow deserved — a gray area of shared responsibility.
—Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026
Fairfax said the encounters were consensual and refused calls to resign.
—Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consensual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consensual
Adjective
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When the queen visited in 1976, British officials discussed whether to invite Carter, then the likely Democratic nominee, to the reciprocal dinner at the British Embassy to meet her.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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Stefanishyna envisions a reciprocal partnership with Washington, in which each side can provide the other with critical assistance.—
Trudy Rubin,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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In the ensuring weeks, Tehran and Washington launched mutual blockades on the waterway, with Iran attacking non-allied vessels and the US targeting ships from Iranian ports.—
Alayna Treene,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But his comments are a part of a broader, more provocative agenda, said sources familiar with the bilateral relationship.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Their schedule includes a ceremonial military review, cultural engagements, a garden party at the British ambassador’s residence and bilateral meetings, with the King also set to deliver a rare address to a joint session of Congress — only the second by a British monarch.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consensual. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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