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

Synonyms of inconsistent

• conflicting

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

Some of his movement was inconsistent, like all over the place. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Add an inconsistent Mookie Betts and an incredibly streaky Teoscar Hernández to an already-shaky lineup. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

If a brand’s presence across social media, review sites and earned media is weak or inconsistent, AI engines may overlook it in favor of a competitor with a stronger digital footprint. — Susan Ganeshan, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

The Red Wings have had many faults the last few seasons — struggles with five-on-five scoring, a lack of physicality and an inconsistent penalty kill all near the top — but their struggles to win crucial late-season games rise above all of that. — Max Bultman, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inconsistent

• coexistent
• equidistant
• nonexistent
• preexistent
• assistant
• consistent
• existent
• insistent
• persistent
• resistant
• subsistent
• distant

Kids 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