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

2

: 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

Irregular sleep, artificial light at night, and jet lag create internal inconsistencies. —Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Powell has fueled the Heat to this stage of the season for a franchise that otherwise would have run out of gas due to the scoring inconsistency elsewhere on the roster. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026

That inconsistency limits part quality and design flexibility. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026

Such changeovers introduce inconsistencies in the data that require staff time and expertise to fix. —Lara Williams, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inconsistency

• consistency
• persistency

Kids 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