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
Amen Thompson added 17 points, but Houston's young core got off to an inconsistent start after becoming the firm favorite in this series due to the Lakers' injury woes.
—
CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
Signs that a piece might be a reproduction include a somewhat crude pattern and an inconsistent, muddy color.
—Alexandra Churchill, Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026
Continuing to build when the feedback loop is silent or inconsistent.
—Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Shall Section 3 of Chapter V of the Fort Worth City Charter be revised to remove non-binding charge and hearing requirements that are inconsistent with the City Manager’s personnel responsibilities?
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistent
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CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
Signs that a piece might be a reproduction include a somewhat crude pattern and an inconsistent, muddy color.
—Alexandra Churchill, Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026
Continuing to build when the feedback loop is silent or inconsistent.
—Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Shall Section 3 of Chapter V of the Fort Worth City Charter be revised to remove non-binding charge and hearing requirements that are inconsistent with the City Manager’s personnel responsibilities?
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 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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