1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
our windjammer sailed wherever the inconstant winds took us
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2
as in traitorous
not true in one's allegiance to someone or something
an inconstant but always entertaining friend
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inconstant
The key finding is that as the distance grows greater, the coupling stops growing, and the inconstant constant becomes constant once more.
—
Stanley J. Brodsky, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Energy experts have been warning that electricity is likely to get more expensive and less reliable unless renewable power that waxes and wanes under inconstant sunlight and wind is backed up by generators that can run whenever needed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 May 2024
In March, Johnson ordered the first national lockdown, caught COVID, and later spent three nights in the I.C.U. For months, the country staggered from one set of restrictions to the next—a reflection of Johnson’s inconstant attitude toward the virus.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
Song as a different kind of time, as heroin became her own inconstant clock.
—Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inconstant
Stanley J. Brodsky, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Energy experts have been warning that electricity is likely to get more expensive and less reliable unless renewable power that waxes and wanes under inconstant sunlight and wind is backed up by generators that can run whenever needed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 May 2024
In March, Johnson ordered the first national lockdown, caught COVID, and later spent three nights in the I.C.U. For months, the country staggered from one set of restrictions to the next—a reflection of Johnson’s inconstant attitude toward the virus.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
Song as a different kind of time, as heroin became her own inconstant clock.
—Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inconstant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inconstant
Adjective
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But make no mistake: the situation remains extremely volatile.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
-
Israel’s strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, which appeared to catch many world leaders unawares, is the latest sign of a more volatile world.—
Rob Gillies,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Michael Fassbender plays a British intelligence officer tasked with finding who leaked a top-secret software program and betrayed their country, and the list of five potentially traitorous suspects includes his own high-profile wife (Cate Blanchett).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Smith made out their former collaborators to be ungrateful and traitorous, and the kids weren't given the space to question her command.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Each response is a surprise, tapping into the psychological principle of intermittent reinforcement, famously demonstrated by psychologist B.F. Skinner, where unpredictable rewards significantly amplify behaviors, much like gambling addiction.—
Curt Steinhorst,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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Bright lights, unpredictable noises, unfamiliar smells, and the pressure to 'behave' in a certain way can quickly overwhelm a child whose brain processes the world differently.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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These implants required a power source to work, were unreliable, difficult to use, and had limited resolution, and the surgical procedure necessary to put them in the eye was extremely complicated.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2025
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Airline in-seat power can be unreliable, so consider a portable charger for your phone.—
Larry Magid,
Mercury News,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
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Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Simultaneously, Dani Olmo could act as a false number 9 while a Robert Lewandowski believed to be on his way to Saudi Arabia in 2026 is gradually phased out.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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But an investigation resulted in an astonishing call from the other side of the world, which revealed that ‘The GPO Girl’ was, in fact, a 25-year-old Australian, who has created more than 100 false identities.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Because the Sun’s magnetic field is especially unstable and dynamic near the solar poles, particularly the south pole, a good, hard look can pay dividends that will protect us here on Earth.—
David Szondy
June 15,
New Atlas,
15 June 2025
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The lawsuit alleges Saffold was unstable during the procedure, and the anesthesiologist and nurse failed to give him proper medical intervention to save his life.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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The storm could bring hazardous travel, power outages, and treacherous trail conditions during a time of year typically dominated by warmer weather and early summer tourism.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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Having heard rumors of a mythical doctor (played with a chilling calm by Ralph Fiennes) who could possibly help, Spike sneaks off with her for a treacherous expedition to the mainland.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inconstant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inconstant. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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