consistent

adjective

con·​sis·​tent kən-ˈsi-stənt How to pronounce consistent (audio)
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
consistently adverb

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 Charters1987
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the idea is to give Smith more consistent downtime in hopes of avoiding the kind of second-half dropoff that has characterized his recent seasons. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 22 June 2025 Durant never enjoyed consistent team success despite being part of a trio that included star guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025 This year, the number of consistent tippers is balancing out. Katie Kelton, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025 On Sunday, fanning out across news shows, members of the administration insisted that Trump was being consistent. David Weigel, semafor.com, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for consistent

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin consistent-, consistens, present participle of consistere "to come to a halt, remain at the same level, take up a position, reside, be composed of, be established (in a given state)" — more at consist entry 1

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of consistent was in 1638

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consistent. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

consistent

adjective
con·​sis·​tent kən-ˈsis-tənt How to pronounce consistent (audio)
1
: being in agreement or harmony
actions consistent with our policy
2
: being unchanging in behavior or beliefs
a consistent supporter
consistently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on consistent

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