inconsistency

noun

in·​con·​sis·​ten·​cy ˌin-kən-ˈsi-stən(t)-sē 

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

Whatever the reason, Biden’s inconsistencies on human rights and the rule of law have left these principles vulnerable to further erosion under future presidents and other world leaders. —Sarah Yager, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025

Ideological inconsistency is also a hallmark of both Thompson’s death and the Wirkin bag. —Aarushi Bhandari, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025

Given the strength of the Chargers defense, as well as the inconsistencies of the Texans offense, the over/under of 42.5 is the lowest of the weekend. —The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

But multiple organizations panned the government’s handling of the election, fully discrediting Maduro’s numbers to the point of finding glaring mathematical inconsistencies in the official results. —Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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