consistent
adjective
con·sis·tent
kən-ˈsi-stənt 
1
a
: marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction
a consistent style in painting
b
: marked by agreement : compatible
—usually used with with
statements not consistent with the truth
c
: showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom
a consistent patriot
2
: tending to be arbitrarily close to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes large
a consistent statistical estimator
3
archaic
: possessing firmness or coherence
Synonyms
Examples of consistent in a Sentence
… the sixty-five-year-old filmmaker continues to practice his craft with consistent artistic aplomb.
—
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2001
I am not consistent about giving vibrancy and other kinds of input to a relationship. … There are periods when I am the most attentive and thoughtful lover in the world, and periods, too, when I am just unavailable.
—Toni Cade Bambara, "A Conversation with Claudia Tate,"
in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
One of the strengths of Blake's letters is their consistent readability …
—William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, (1953) 1982
The rhythm of the gesture never varied. The paper flew in identically the same arc at each doorway, landed in identically the same spot. It was impossible for anybody to throw with such consistent perfection.
—Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time, (1962) 1976
He is a consistent supporter of the museum.
We need to be more consistent in handling this problem.
Customers expect that the quality of service they receive will be consistent.
The pain has been consistent.
Your grades have shown consistent improvement this school year.
Their descriptions of the accident were consistent.
The decision was consistent with the company's policy.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2001
I am not consistent about giving vibrancy and other kinds of input to a relationship. … There are periods when I am the most attentive and thoughtful lover in the world, and periods, too, when I am just unavailable.
—Toni Cade Bambara, "A Conversation with Claudia Tate,"
in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
One of the strengths of Blake's letters is their consistent readability …
—William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, (1953) 1982
The rhythm of the gesture never varied. The paper flew in identically the same arc at each doorway, landed in identically the same spot. It was impossible for anybody to throw with such consistent perfection.
—Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time, (1962) 1976
He is a consistent supporter of the museum.
We need to be more consistent in handling this problem.
Customers expect that the quality of service they receive will be consistent.
The pain has been consistent.
Your grades have shown consistent improvement this school year.
Their descriptions of the accident were consistent.
The decision was consistent with the company's policy.
Recent Examples on the Web
There is, however, another political tradition consistent with the kind of constraints on capitalism Ahmari advocates: post-1945 Christian democracy.
—Sheri Berman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
All five people had injuries consistent with homicide, police said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
Again, this is a notable change from the non-sealing Ear (stick) that results in better passive noise isolation, deeper bass response, and more consistent ear-to-ear imaging.
—PCMAG, 21 Apr. 2024
Simply put, McCarthy requires more projection than usual for a prospect being considered in the top-10 since he hasn’t been asked to do a lot of the things his peers have on a consistent basis.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
With features that deliver sophisticated care to every strand, this section elucidates the dryer's ability to emit negative ions and maintain consistent temperature control.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, Edmond Hewlett, a Professor at UCLA and spokesperson of the American Dental Association, says that finding the right toothpaste, being consistent with oral hygiene, and maintaining checkups are important for prevention because your teeth and gums should last you a lifetime.
—Isabella Ubaldi, Verywell Health, 19 Apr. 2024
Beyond just blood, per the Los Angeles Times, hair and clothing fibers that were consistent with Simpson, Brown and Goldman, along with fibers from a 1993–1994 Ford Bronco and Brown's Akita dog, were all found on the glove recovered from Simpson's home.
—Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
But the disturbing future scenarios that conclude the book are consistent with Nichols’ conflicted view of the automobile’s effects on women.
—Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2024
Sheri Berman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
All five people had injuries consistent with homicide, police said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
Again, this is a notable change from the non-sealing Ear (stick) that results in better passive noise isolation, deeper bass response, and more consistent ear-to-ear imaging.
—PCMAG, 21 Apr. 2024
Simply put, McCarthy requires more projection than usual for a prospect being considered in the top-10 since he hasn’t been asked to do a lot of the things his peers have on a consistent basis.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
With features that deliver sophisticated care to every strand, this section elucidates the dryer's ability to emit negative ions and maintain consistent temperature control.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, Edmond Hewlett, a Professor at UCLA and spokesperson of the American Dental Association, says that finding the right toothpaste, being consistent with oral hygiene, and maintaining checkups are important for prevention because your teeth and gums should last you a lifetime.
—Isabella Ubaldi, Verywell Health, 19 Apr. 2024
Beyond just blood, per the Los Angeles Times, hair and clothing fibers that were consistent with Simpson, Brown and Goldman, along with fibers from a 1993–1994 Ford Bronco and Brown's Akita dog, were all found on the glove recovered from Simpson's home.
—Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
But the disturbing future scenarios that conclude the book are consistent with Nichols’ conflicted view of the automobile’s effects on women.
—Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consistent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near consistent
Cite this Entry
“Consistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consistent. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
consistent
adjective
con·sis·tent
kən-ˈsis-tənt
1
: being in agreement or harmony
actions consistent with our policy
2
: being unchanging in behavior or beliefs
a consistent supporter
consistently
adverb
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