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

More problematic was the character’s heritage; he’s supposed to be half-English and half-Paraguayan, and to say Gere’s accent is inconsistent would be charitable. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026

The Packers have been inconsistent but should be able to handle their business at home. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Today, a site can look successful on paper while losing traffic because of weak architecture, unindexed pages and inconsistent local signals. — Vin Sonpal, Forbes.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Some say this has led to an inconsistent patchwork of rules where some states have strict regulations and others have little to no oversight. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 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