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
Figures the administration has released are inconsistent and unverifiable.
—
ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
The Horned Frogs are undersized at guard and in the frontcourt, their offense can often be inconsistent with its ability to shoot from outside, and the rotation really goes only about seven deep.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
But immigration lawyers say the Department of Homeland Security’s adherence to that limit has been wildly inconsistent over the past year.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
This implies regime change, yet the administration’s ambitions have in fact been vague and inconsistent.
—Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistent
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
The Horned Frogs are undersized at guard and in the frontcourt, their offense can often be inconsistent with its ability to shoot from outside, and the rotation really goes only about seven deep.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
But immigration lawyers say the Department of Homeland Security’s adherence to that limit has been wildly inconsistent over the past year.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
This implies regime change, yet the administration’s ambitions have in fact been vague and inconsistent.
—Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
