consonant
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “consonant” mean?
adjective.in agreement or harmony with.
SAT Usage
The term often appears in contexts discussing agreements, relationships, or compatibility, such as in literature, philosophy, or social sciences. It emphasizes a sense of alignment or mutual support, distinguishing it from similar terms like "consistent," which may imply a more rigid or repetitive adherence rather than a harmonious relationship.
Common Confusions
Consonant implies an agreement or harmony between elements, while consistent usually suggests a steady or uniform adherence to a particular standard or pattern without necessarily indicating mutual support.
Example Sentences
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His actions were consonant with his stated values.
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Her actions were consonant with her stated principles of honesty.
Word Parts: How to Remember “consonant”
Break “consonant” into its parts: co- (together, with) + -son- (sound). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
co-together, with (Latin) -
Root:
-son-sound (Latin)