inconsistent
adjective
in·con·sis·tent
ˌin-kən-ˈsi-stənt 
: lacking consistency: such as
a
: not compatible with another fact or claim
inconsistent statements
b
: containing incompatible elements
an inconsistent argument
The decision was inconsistent with company policy.
c
: incoherent or illogical in thought or actions : not always acting or happening the same way
His pitching has been inconsistent this season.
The pain is inconsistent.
d
: not satisfiable by the same set of values for the unknowns
inconsistent equations
inconsistent inequalities
inconsistently
adverb
Examples of inconsistent in a Sentence
Customers have been complaining about the inconsistent service they have received.
The pain has been inconsistent.
Her grades have been inconsistent this school year.
Their descriptions of the accident were inconsistent.
The results of the two experiments were inconsistent.
The decision was inconsistent with the company's policy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Your first warning is when local news, embassy alerts, and travel communications become inconsistent or censored, situational awareness is compromised.
—
Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
AltaMed doctors and medical professionals traded stethoscopes for fliers advertising voting sites and canvassed neighborhoods in Santa Ana ahead of the June 2 primary on Tuesday to connect with residents who had been diagnosed as low-propensity or inconsistent voters.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Content creators for brands are next on the list, making an average of $40 per hour, though income is inconsistent early on.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Gordon has been inconsistent in the Premier League since a move to his boyhood club Liverpool collapsed in June 2024, when Newcastle were scrambling to comply with PSR (profit and sustainability rules) regulations.
—Pol Ballús, New York Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistent
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
AltaMed doctors and medical professionals traded stethoscopes for fliers advertising voting sites and canvassed neighborhoods in Santa Ana ahead of the June 2 primary on Tuesday to connect with residents who had been diagnosed as low-propensity or inconsistent voters.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Content creators for brands are next on the list, making an average of $40 per hour, though income is inconsistent early on.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Gordon has been inconsistent in the Premier League since a move to his boyhood club Liverpool collapsed in June 2024, when Newcastle were scrambling to comply with PSR (profit and sustainability rules) regulations.
—Pol Ballús, New York Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistent
Cite this Entry
“Inconsistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconsistent. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inconsistent
adjective
in·con·sis·tent
ˌin-kən-ˈsis-tənt
1
: not being in agreement or harmony : incompatible
an explanation inconsistent with the facts
2
: not logical or regular in thought or actions : changeable
a very inconsistent person
inconsistently
adverb
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