inconsistent

adjective

in·​con·​sis·​tent ˌin-kən-ˈsi-stənt How to pronounce inconsistent (audio)
Synonyms of inconsistentnext
: lacking consistency: such as
a
: not compatible with another fact or claim
inconsistent statements
b
: containing incompatible elements
an inconsistent argument
c
: incoherent or illogical in thought or actions : changeable
d
: not satisfiable by the same set of values for the unknowns
inconsistent equations
inconsistent inequalities
inconsistently adverb

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But without a strong messaging foundation, those pieces can feel scattered, inconsistent, or even contradictory. — Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 His current form may be inconsistent at best, but Finau believes the best results of his career are still ahead of him. — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 Unfortunately, the camera is inconsistent and poor at recording video, and the software is shoddy (with only three Android version updates promised). — Simon Hill, Wired News, 27 Mar. 2025 Despite Denver tracking toward a high seed, and despite the Nuggets (46-28) headed toward another 50-win season, this is a team that’s been alarmingly inconsistent of late. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inconsistent

Word History

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inconsistent was in 1620

Rhymes for inconsistent

See All Rhymes for inconsistent

Browse Nearby Words

inconsistency
inconsistent
inconsolable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inconsistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconsistent. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

inconsistent

adjective
in·​con·​sis·​tent ˌin-kən-ˈsis-tənt How to pronounce inconsistent (audio)
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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