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 inconsistent role wreaked havoc with his shot.
—
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Within months, customer satisfaction had fallen sharply and service quality had grown inconsistent.
—Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Dietary supplements are subject to less strict regulation, which can make quality and effectiveness inconsistent between products.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
An inconsistent cup of coffee can make or break your day — but new research is shedding light on just how the industry can dial up the production process for a more reliable flavor.
—Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistent
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Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Within months, customer satisfaction had fallen sharply and service quality had grown inconsistent.
—Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Dietary supplements are subject to less strict regulation, which can make quality and effectiveness inconsistent between products.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
An inconsistent cup of coffee can make or break your day — but new research is shedding light on just how the industry can dial up the production process for a more reliable flavor.
—Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 15 May 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 19 May. 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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