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

What the lawsuit alleges The lawsuit alleges violations of the California Environmental Quality Act and that the project is inconsistent with the county’s general plan. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

The inconsistent Sparks have dropped back-to-back games since firing GM Raegan Pebley. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Amid all the upheaval and seemingly inconsistent interpretation of rules, Bill Ford appears to be asking for a strategy beyond exclusion that also might withstand a regime change or two. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 16 July 2026

Christine previously told Good Morning America that the phone’s location history appeared inconsistent with what friends had reported and said investigators have requested the device as part of the ongoing investigation. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 14 July 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