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

This baffling inconsistency has challenged planetary physics and raised doubts about how scientists interpret signals from distant worlds. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026

With legal assistance arranged by Patient Rights Advocate, Giles contested her bills and found inconsistencies. —Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026

To Trump, fluidity and inconsistency are virtues, not bugs. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026

The critiques of Nix revolve around low air yards and inconsistency. —Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 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