inconsistent
adjective
in·con·sis·tent
ˌin-kən-ˈsi-stənt 
: lacking consistency: such as
a
: not compatible with another fact or claim
inconsistent statements
b
: containing incompatible elements
an inconsistent argument
The decision was inconsistent with company policy.
c
: incoherent or illogical in thought or actions : not always acting or happening the same way
His pitching has been inconsistent this season.
The pain is inconsistent.
d
: not satisfiable by the same set of values for the unknowns
inconsistent equations
inconsistent inequalities
inconsistently
adverb
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.
The results of the two experiments were inconsistent.
The decision was inconsistent with the company's policy.
Recent Examples on the Web
The judges found that the state's policy of limiting open carry to counties with a population of less than 200,000 is inconsistent with the Second Amendment.
—
CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
This system seems facially inconsistent with the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Jan. 2026
Since then, Kansas’ offense has been inconsistent.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2026
James was still young, doctors explained, and inconsistent results weren’t uncommon at his age.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistent
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CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
This system seems facially inconsistent with the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Jan. 2026
Since then, Kansas’ offense has been inconsistent.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2026
James was still young, doctors explained, and inconsistent results weren’t uncommon at his age.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inconsistent
Cite this Entry
“Inconsistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconsistent. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inconsistent
adjective
in·con·sis·tent
ˌin-kən-ˈsis-tənt
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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