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

The Dodgers signed Tanner Scott last offseason to a four-year, $72 million contract, but had to move him off the closer position due to inconsistent performance. —Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

Underground radar has detected more structures in and around the hill, but restoration work is slow and inconsistent. —Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025

The inspector general found the lily pads were rushed, understaffed and inconsistent, leading to major documentation gaps, missing records and vetting shortcuts. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025

For months, Ford’s once-regular appearances became noticeably inconsistent, prompting speculation about whether JBP newcomer Mona Love had effectively replaced her. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 25 Nov. 2025

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