adj
Common
inconsistent
ihn-kuhn-SIHS-tuhnt
Inconsistent (adj) means not staying the same over time; unpredictable or unreliable. Example: “The weather here is inconsistent, with sunshine one hour and heavy rain the next.”
adj
1
Not staying the same over time; unpredictable or unreliable.
"The weather here is inconsistent, with sunshine one hour and heavy rain the next."
"The team's performance has been inconsistent all season."
"His story was inconsistent — the details kept changing each time he told it."
2
Contradicting itself or another statement.
"Her claim that she was at home is inconsistent with the video evidence."
"The report's conclusions seem inconsistent with the figures shown on the first page."
"The two witness accounts were inconsistent with each other."
How to use inconsistent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot staying steady or matching up — either changing unpredictably, or contradicting something else.
Common pairings
inconsistent with
wildly inconsistent
inconsistent results
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more inconsistent
- Superlative
- most inconsistent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The weather here is _____, with sunshine one hour and heavy rain the next.
Etymology
From in- ("not") plus consistent.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for inconsistent
See all rhymes for inconsistent →Frequently asked questions
What does “inconsistent” mean?
The word “inconsistent” means not staying the same over time; unpredictable or unreliable. In plain terms, not staying steady or matching up — either changing unpredictably, or contradicting something else.
How do you pronounce “inconsistent”?
“Inconsistent” is pronounced ihn-kuhn-SIHS-tuhnt (/ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “inconsistent” in a sentence?
Here is “inconsistent” used in a sentence: “The team's performance has been inconsistent all season.”
What part of speech is “inconsistent”?
“Inconsistent” is an adjective.
Is “inconsistent” a common word?
“Inconsistent” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “inconsistent” have?
“Inconsistent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not staying the same over time; unpredictable or unreliable.
What is the difference between inconsistent and contradictory?
Inconsistent describes something that is unpredictable or does not stay the same over time, such as inconsistent performance, or two statements that do not agree with each other. Contradictory is stronger, meaning two statements directly oppose or negate each other, so all contradictory statements are inconsistent, but not all inconsistent behavior is fully contradictory.
What does it mean to say someone is inconsistent?
Saying someone is inconsistent usually means their behavior, effort, or performance varies unpredictably rather than staying steady and reliable over time. For example, an inconsistent employee might do excellent work one week and poor work the next.
Can inconsistent describe statements or arguments?
Yes, inconsistent can describe statements, data, or arguments that contradict themselves or each other, meaning they cannot all be true at the same time. This logical sense is common in debates, reports, and testimony.
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