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

Washington looked like one of the NFL’s up-and-coming contenders during a breakout 2024 — but that didn’t materialize last season amid injuries, inconsistency by quarterback Jayden Daniels and one of the league’s worst defenses. — Nbc Sports, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026

There was a celebration of what Daniels can do at any point, which is to cover up inconsistency and sloppy execution by others with his extraordinary talent. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Anthony Richardson possessed almost extraterrestrial talent but maddening inconsistency. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Von Neumann himself helped develop it as a potential remedy for some logical inconsistencies with Hilbert space that troubled him. — Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 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