inconsistent
adjective
in·con·sis·tent
ˌin-kən-ˈsi-stənt 
: lacking consistency: such as
a
: not compatible with another fact or claim
inconsistent statements
b
: containing incompatible elements
an inconsistent argument
The decision was inconsistent with company policy.
c
: incoherent or illogical in thought or actions : not always acting or happening the same way
His pitching has been inconsistent this season.
The pain is inconsistent.
d
: not satisfiable by the same set of values for the unknowns
inconsistent equations
inconsistent inequalities
inconsistently
adverb
Examples of inconsistent in a Sentence
Customers have been complaining about the inconsistent service they have received.
The pain has been inconsistent.
Her grades have been inconsistent this school year.
Their descriptions of the accident were inconsistent.
The results of the two experiments were inconsistent.
The decision was inconsistent with the company's policy.
Recent Examples on the Web
The city doesn’t know and the surveys are inconsistent.
—
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
For the first half on Friday night, Angel City Football Club was turning in one of those inconsistent performances that Coach Alex Straus expected would happen this season with a young team.
—Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
As is often the case for 23-year-olds pushed into large roles, Podziemski has been inconsistent.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
An elite on-ball defender with a team-high 61 steals this past season, the 19-year-old point guard was also inconsistent and could benefit from another year in college.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistent
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Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
For the first half on Friday night, Angel City Football Club was turning in one of those inconsistent performances that Coach Alex Straus expected would happen this season with a young team.
—Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
As is often the case for 23-year-olds pushed into large roles, Podziemski has been inconsistent.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
An elite on-ball defender with a team-high 61 steals this past season, the 19-year-old point guard was also inconsistent and could benefit from another year in college.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistent
Cite this Entry
“Inconsistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconsistent. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inconsistent
adjective
in·con·sis·tent
ˌin-kən-ˈsis-tənt
1
: not being in agreement or harmony : incompatible
an explanation inconsistent with the facts
2
: not logical or regular in thought or actions : changeable
a very inconsistent person
inconsistently
adverb
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