: not consistent: such as
a
: not always acting or behaving in the same way
His pitching has been very inconsistent. [=unreliable]
Customers have been complaining about the inconsistent service they have received.
b
: not continuing to happen or develop in the same way
The pain has been inconsistent.
Her grades have been inconsistent this school year.
c
: having parts that disagree with each other
Their descriptions of the accident were inconsistent.
The results of the two experiments were inconsistent.
She was inconsistent in her argument. [=her argument included parts that did not agree with one another]
: not in agreement with something
His statements were inconsistent with the truth. [=were not true]
The decision was inconsistent with the company's policy.
Cite this Entry
“Inconsistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/inconsistent. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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