inconsistency

noun

in·​con·​sis·​ten·​cy ˌin-kən-ˈsi-stən(t)-sē How to pronounce inconsistency (audio)
1
: an instance of being inconsistent
2
: the quality or state of being inconsistent

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.
The unit’s inconsistency showed up most against quality run defenses. Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2025 Flaherty went 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA for the Tigers and Dodgers in 2024, delivering a resurgent season after three years of injury and inconsistency. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025 After not playing for more than a week, Westchester’s boys’ basketball team was expected to have bouts of inconsistency in its important Western League game Wednesday against Palisades at St. Monica. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 The final instance of United’s positional inconsistency came in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Anantaajith Raghuraman, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near inconsistency

Cite this Entry

“Inconsistency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconsistency. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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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