inconsistency
noun
in·con·sis·ten·cy
ˌin-kən-ˈsi-stən(t)-sē 
1
: an instance of being inconsistent
… treats every human inconsistency as a hypocrisy …—
G. K. Chesterton
G. K. Chesterton2
: the quality or state of being inconsistent
inconsistency in the restaurant's service
noticed inconsistency in the two statements
Examples of inconsistency in a Sentence
Police noticed inconsistency in his two statements.
Customers have been complaining about the inconsistency in the quality of service they have received.
The team's biggest problem has been inconsistency: it has played well at times, but at other times it has played very poorly.
There is some inconsistency in her argument.
Careful editing of the entire text has eliminated inconsistencies of style.
We noted a major inconsistency in his story.
Recent Examples on the Web
The news came amid officials stating that a coroner found inconsistencies in her death, though discrepancies were not reported in 2018, and no autopsy was performed.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Given this inconsistency, use cannabis products containing THC (short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) where its use is legal.
—Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
There’s a perception of inconsistency if these fines are disparate, while some landlords may choose to pay the fines rather than correct the issues, Erica Rodgers, Excise and License’s policy director, told councilmembers.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
There is still a bit of inconsistency.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inconsistency
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Given this inconsistency, use cannabis products containing THC (short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) where its use is legal.
—Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
There’s a perception of inconsistency if these fines are disparate, while some landlords may choose to pay the fines rather than correct the issues, Erica Rodgers, Excise and License’s policy director, told councilmembers.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
There is still a bit of inconsistency.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inconsistency
Cite this Entry
“Inconsistency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconsistency. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inconsistency
noun
in·con·sis·ten·cy
ˌin-kən-ˈsis-tən-sē
plural inconsistencies
1
: the quality or state of being inconsistent
2
: an example of being inconsistent
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