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 last few seasons were tainted by injuries and inconsistency.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
Those complaints, which included the ball’s bounciness and inconsistency, did not lead to any major changes.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The only consistent thing about Liverpool this season has been their inconsistency.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Assistant District Attorney Mallory Vincent argued that Carrillo wasn't truly taking responsibility for his actions, pointing to inconsistencies in his testimony about past violence.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistency
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Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026
Those complaints, which included the ball’s bounciness and inconsistency, did not lead to any major changes.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The only consistent thing about Liverpool this season has been their inconsistency.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Assistant District Attorney Mallory Vincent argued that Carrillo wasn't truly taking responsibility for his actions, pointing to inconsistencies in his testimony about past violence.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistency
Cite this Entry
“Inconsistency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconsistency. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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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