inconsistency
noun
in·con·sis·ten·cy
ˌin-kən-ˈsi-stən(t)-sē 
1
: an instance of being inconsistent
… treats every human inconsistency as a hypocrisy …—
G. K. Chesterton
G. K. Chesterton2
: 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
On the other end, injuries and inconsistencies have brought the Commanders down to 27th in scoring defense.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Mixed signals, hot and cold affection, and inconsistency can then feel intimate rather than anxiety-inducing.
—Dr. Amy Tran, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025
One of the central claims of this book is that the mental effects of the small gaps, contradictions, and inconsistencies in Tolkien’s work contribute substantially to readers’ experiencing it as somehow different than other pieces of literature.
—Literary Hub, 23 Dec. 2025
At each step, the bipartisan delegates work together to examine ballots, test machines, ensure hand and machine counts match, and study the election data for inconsistencies.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inconsistency
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Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Mixed signals, hot and cold affection, and inconsistency can then feel intimate rather than anxiety-inducing.
—Dr. Amy Tran, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025
One of the central claims of this book is that the mental effects of the small gaps, contradictions, and inconsistencies in Tolkien’s work contribute substantially to readers’ experiencing it as somehow different than other pieces of literature.
—Literary Hub, 23 Dec. 2025
At each step, the bipartisan delegates work together to examine ballots, test machines, ensure hand and machine counts match, and study the election data for inconsistencies.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inconsistency
Cite this Entry
“Inconsistency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconsistency. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inconsistency
noun
in·con·sis·ten·cy
ˌin-kən-ˈsis-tən-sē
plural inconsistencies
1
: the quality or state of being inconsistent
2
: an example of being inconsistent
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