consistent

play

adjective con·sis·tent \ kən-ˈsi-stənt \

Definition of consistent

1 archaic :possessing firmness or coherence

2 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

3 :tending to be arbitrarily close to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes large

a consistent statistical estimator

—

consistently

play \kən-ˈsi-stənt-lē\ adverb

See consistent defined for English-language learners

See consistent defined for kids

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, (l953) 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 of consistent from the Web

A homicide investigation started because Diamond Shelman’s injuries were not consistent with a fire, said Dave Bristow, spokesman for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

— by sara nealeigh, miamiherald, "A teen and her baby are found dead in a fire. But cops say the mom had other injuries," 27 Aug. 2017
East's defensive line, led by Northwestern recruit Devin O'Rourke, Dylan Shelton, Ben Ravetto and Jaden Hacha, applied consistent pressure. O'Rourke and Hacha each had sacks.

— pat disabato, Daily Southtown, "Brendan Morrissey makes impact, lifts Lincoln-Way East past Crete-Monee," 26 Aug. 2017
And keep a consistent distance between the nozzle and the deck.

— roy berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "How to Stop Your Wooden Deck From Splintering," 12 Aug. 2017
Board members noted changing to CI would be consistent with the surrounding zoning — member Maria Terry voted in favor of no change.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford planning board nixes big industrial rezoning request, supports most others," 10 Aug. 2017
Rather than doubling down on potentially irritating pimple-drying ingredients, scale back to consistent application of lower doses and consider integrating a prescription medication.

— lauren hubbard, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything You Need To Know To Get Rid of Acne Once And For All," 8 Aug. 2017
While Fine's space marries many design styles, from touches of rustic to Mediterranean, one thing that remains consistent: the color.

— rachel swalin, ELLE Decor, "This Is How Laurel & Wolf CEO, Leura Fine, Decorates Her Perfectly Eclectic Los Angeles Home," 8 Aug. 2017
The state's Central Management Services, which operates the group insurance program, already was at least eight months late in reimbursing providers because of consistent underfunding of the program, according to department memos.

— dawn rhodes, chicagotribune.com, "Illinois budget backlog is giving health care providers, patients a headache," 27 July 2017
Also, in Allen, Lagow has a coach whose most consistent talking point is the thing Lagow learned to value so greatly in Cisco: Love Each Other.

— brody miller, The Courier-Journal, "Pout or grow? What Richard Lagow learned from his lowest point," 25 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'consistent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.