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View synonyms for

consensus

[ kuhn-sen-suhs ]

noun

plural consensuses.
  1. majority of opinion:

    The consensus of the group was that they should meet twice a month.

  2. general agreement or concord; harmony.


consensus

/ əˈɛԲə /

noun

  1. general or widespread agreement (esp in the phrase consensus of opinion )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage Note

Many say that the phrase consensus of opinion is redundant and hence should be avoided: The committee's statement represented a consensus of opinion. The expression is redundant, however, only if consensus is taken in the sense “majority of opinion” rather than in its equally valid and earlier sense “general agreement or concord.” Criticism of consensus of opinion has been so persistent and widespread that the phrase, even though in common use, occurs only infrequently in edited formal writing. The phrase general consensus is objected to for similar reasons. Consensus is now widely used attributively, especially in the phrase consensus politics.
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Usage

Since consensus refers to a collective opinion, the words of opinion in the phrase consensus of opinion are redundant and should therefore be avoided
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Word History and Origins

Origin of consensus1

First recorded in 1850–55; from Latin, from DzԲԳī “to be in agreement, share a feeling,” from con- con- + Գī “to feel” ( sense )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of consensus1

C19: from Latin, from DzԲԳī to feel together, agree; see consent
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The growing consensus is that the Democrats are marching out a vanguard of ancient party members to fight the war before the last war.

From

“These experiences have instilled in me an appreciation for the importance of bipartisan consensus and working toward common ground,” he told a House subcommittee in October 2017.

From

Industry journalism's direct and seemingly willful dissent from the larger cultural consensus surrounding “Sinners” only helps to keep power in the hands of those who already have it.

From

The general consensus was the Red Roses would cruise to a fourth consecutive Grand Slam.

From

The Bush administration cultivated an understandable American fear of terrorism to justify abrogating what, until then, had been a settled consensus in this country: that torture is both wrong and illegal.

From

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consensualconsensus gentium