inconsistency

noun

in·​con·​sis·​ten·​cy ˌin-kən-ˈsi-stən(t)-sē How to pronounce inconsistency (audio)
Synonyms of inconsistencynext
1
: an instance of being inconsistent
… treats every human inconsistency as a hypocrisy …—G. K. Chesterton
2
: the quality or state of being inconsistent
inconsistency in the restaurant's service
noticed inconsistency in the two statements

Examples of inconsistency in a Sentence

Police noticed inconsistency in his two statements. Customers have been complaining about the inconsistency in the quality of service they have received. The team's biggest problem has been inconsistency: it has played well at times, but at other times it has played very poorly. There is some inconsistency in her argument. Careful editing of the entire text has eliminated inconsistencies of style. We noted a major inconsistency in his story.
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 a manager responsible for a larger team has less room for inconsistency. — Doug Dennerline, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Daniela Hawkins, a global payments expert for tech consultancy Capco, told Ars in 2024 that any inconsistency in how payments function could stall widespread adoption of X Money. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026 Coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings endured a frustrating 2025 as McCarthy battled inconsistencies, and this offseason the team signed Kyler Murray following his release from the Cardinals. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 27 July 2026 The audit also found three cases with unexplained inconsistencies in disciplinary outcomes. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inconsistency

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inconsistency was in 1647

Rhymes for inconsistency

See All Rhymes for inconsistency

Browse Nearby Words

inconsistence
inconsistency
inconsistent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inconsistency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconsistency. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inconsistency

noun
in·​con·​sis·​ten·​cy ˌin-kən-ˈsis-tən-sē How to pronounce inconsistency (audio)
plural inconsistencies
1
: the quality or state of being inconsistent
2
: an example of being inconsistent
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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