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

To this point, the only consistency has been inconsistency. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026

After victory at Burnley, these next three games — Crystal Palace and Leeds United at home and Wolves away — offer Newcastle an opportunity to shake off the inconsistencies that have plagued them all season. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026

Injuries and inconsistency has plagued guard Mekhi Becton once again. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025

Adcock argued on social media that visual inconsistencies, particularly reflections on the robots, suggested heavy CGI use. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Dec. 2025

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