consistent

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

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of consistent

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

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

Because analyzing the cells doesn't require the addition of fixatives or fluorescent dyes, ISL could be more consistent, less harmful to cultures, and enable longer-term monitoring of cellular health than traditional methods.

— robbie gonzalez, WIRED, "AI Learns a New Trick: Measuring Brain Cells," 12 Apr. 2018
Yet the justices have tread a fine -- and not always consistent -- line in balancing a president's removal power with protections imposed by Congress.

— joan biskupic, CNN, "The constitutional question: Can Congress stop Trump from firing Mueller?," 12 Apr. 2018
That’s much, much more consistent with a nerve-agent-type exposure than chlorine.

— Washington Post, "Nerve gas used in Syria attack, leaving victims ‘foaming at the mouth,’ evidence suggests," 10 Apr. 2018
If nothing else, Trump’s nonstop effort to undermine or silence a free press is consistent with his efforts to undermine every other institution of democracy, from the judiciary to Congress to law enforcement and virtually every federal agency.

— frank rich, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Only Knows Chaos," 5 Apr. 2018
Such use was not consistent with agency policy, but Mr. Weese was unsuccessful in stopping it.

— eric lipton, kenneth p. vogel and lisa friedman, New York Times, "E.P.A. Officials Sidelined After Questioning Scott Pruitt," 5 Apr. 2018
Guerrero has nearly 35 years of consistent, uninterrupted experience in the real estate industry and has been with the Century 21 system as long.

— Ramona Sentinel, "Patti Guerrero is Top Producing Sales Associate," 1 Apr. 2018
That will keep the moisture level more consistent, too.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "Why does blue spruce tree look brown? | The Sacramento Bee," 30 Mar. 2018
Both players are 33 years old and both have a built a reputation on consistent, high-caliber play.

— jordan culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando Pride centerback Ali Krieger shows no signs of slowing down," 30 Mar. 2018

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.