consensus

/kənˈsɛnsəs/

Say it: kun-SEN-sus

1. noun A general agreement reached by a group, where most or all members accept a decision or opinion.
After hours of discussion, the committee finally reached a consensus on the new budget.
2. noun The opinion or position that is agreed upon by a group.
The consensus of the scientific community is that the planet is warming.

📖 Seen in the wild

After hours of discussion, the committee finally reached a consensus on the new policy.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ consensus in a sentence

It's difficult to build a consensus among people with such diverse political views.
The general consensus in our friend group is that the sequel was a disappointment.
Despite a few outliers, there is a broad consensus among economists that the policy will stimulate growth.
The team leader's job is to facilitate discussion and guide the group toward a consensus.
Historically, achieving a national consensus on this issue has been nearly impossible.
The final report reflects the consensus of all participating members.
Is there a consensus on where we should go for dinner, or is everyone still undecided?

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

agreement unanimity accord concord harmony unity consent

agreement · the most general term; consensus implies a wider, more collective agreement achieved through discussion.

unanimity · stronger than consensus; it means everyone is in complete, enthusiastic agreement, with no dissent at all.

accord · often more formal, suggesting a harmony of opinions or a formal treaty between parties.

concord · a more literary or formal term for a state of harmony and agreement between people or groups.

Opposites: disagreement, dissent, conflict, discord, dispute

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'consensus' comes directly from the Latin 'consensus', which means 'agreement' or 'accord'. It is derived from the verb 'consentire', which breaks down into 'con-' (meaning 'with' or 'together') and 'sentire' (meaning 'to feel'). So, at its heart, consensus is about 'feeling together' with a group.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

reach a consensusbuild a consensusbroad consensusgeneral consensusscientific consensuspolitical consensus

Consensus is a key concept in group decision-making. While it implies a general agreement, it does not necessarily mean the decision is unanimous; it means that any dissenting members feel they have been heard and will ultimately support the group's decision. Be aware that the common phrase 'general consensus' is technically redundant, as consensus itself means general agreement, but it is widely used for emphasis and is not considered an error.

Word family: consensual

💬 Quick answers

What does consensus mean?

Consensus is a general agreement among the members of a group. It means that while not everyone may be perfectly happy, the group as a whole accepts the final decision or opinion.

What is the difference between consensus and unanimity?

Unanimity means everyone agrees completely (100%). Consensus is a broader agreement where most or all parties consent to a decision, even if some have minor reservations.

Is the phrase 'general consensus' redundant?

Technically, yes, since consensus implies a general agreement. However, the phrase is extremely common and widely accepted to add emphasis, meaning a very broad or widespread agreement.

How do you 'reach' a consensus?

Reaching a consensus typically involves discussion, debate, and compromise among group members until a mutually acceptable outcome is found. It's an active process of building agreement.

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