consonant

adjective

ˈkän(t)-s(ə-)nənt How to pronounce consonant (audio)
Definition of consonantnext
1
as in symmetrical
having the parts agreeably related the temples and palaces of ancient Greece are among the most consonant buildings in architectural history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in consistent
not having or showing any apparent conflict his gentle behavior is consonant with his expressed belief in pacifism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of consonant Researchers at Carleton University found that people with names like Renee, Liam or Noelle—which include soft, flowing consonant sounds—were more likely to be favored for certain roles over people with names like Greta, Tate or Krista, whose names contain harsher sounds. — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 The result is a slowly shifting kaleidoscope of bright, consonant sound, which, with its pointed title, easily digestible concept, and improvisatory spirit, was also a rejection of the cerebral atonality then in vogue. — William Robin, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025 Where the republic’s hypocrisy fed its fatal weakness, corruption, the Taliban’s unabashed brutality was consonant with the movement’s strength, its unity. — Matthieu Aikins Victor J. Blue Peter Ganim Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 22 May 2024 These would then subside into subdued textures marked by consonant harmonies. — Dallas News, 23 Feb. 2022 See All Example Sentences for consonant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consonant
  1. symmetrical
  2. consistent
  3. harmonic
  4. compatible
  5. balanced
  6. elegant
  7. aesthetic
  8. pleasing
Adjective
  • How the gravitational field that the various spacecraft experienced changed over time differs substantially from what would be expected were Mars's interior perfectly spherically symmetrical.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Its oversized stone urns and four Doric columns, along with a Greek key frieze, give the symmetrical residence historic gravitas.
    — Mark David, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of symmetrical
Adjective
  • Chains rely on their ability to offer a consistent supply on a huge scale, said Stephen Zagor, a restaurant consultant and adjunct associate professor at Columbia Business School.
    — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Yet cargo freight has been hard to electrify because long-haul trucks need hundreds of miles of range while carrying heavy loads, and charging infrastructure has not been consistent.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of consistent
Adjective
  • But at times, the caliber of their technical and harmonic choices sounds arty and sophisticated.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Mehldau takes special care to retain Smith’s idiosyncratic chord structures, accentuating his sublime harmonic feel.
    — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of harmonic
Adjective
  • The approach also keeps JR3 compatible with launchers already used by Army units.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Due to antibodies from previous transfusions and a transplant, finding a compatible second kidney was nearly impossible.
    — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of compatible
Adjective
  • Any business can run into cash-flow gaps — slow seasons, delayed invoice payments or unexpected costs can throw off even the most perfectly balanced budget.
    — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • No need to worry about adding structure to your outfit; the combination of baggy jeans and the sharpness of your heels will naturally create a balanced uniform.
    — India Roby, Glamour, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of balanced
Adjective
  • Yeah, just continue and figure out elegant ways to catch up with everyone, like catch up with what’s been happening in the last year.
    — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The couple recently tied the knot in an elegant ceremony in Sicily at the historic Villa Valguarnera near Palermo on June 6, after officially marrying in London’s Marylebone Town Hall in advance.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • The property now reflects a vibrant, modern aesthetic that channels Havana’s golden age and Florida tropical cool.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The daughter of Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz has cultivated her own aesthetic, ranging from edgy to romantic and from effortlessly off-duty to full red carpet glamour.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of aesthetic
Adjective
  • The cabin interiors are built from a lovely blonde wood, which was aesthetically pleasing, if a little creaky at times, while the white linens on the comfortable queen bed were a subtle reminder that this is a luxury accommodation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Stepping into unknown territory can feel especially pleasing today.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pleasing

Browse Nearby Words

consonancy
consonant
consort
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consonant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consonant. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on consonant

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about consonant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All