inconsistency
Americannoun
plural
inconsistencies-
the quality or condition of being inconsistent.
-
an inconsistent thing, action, remark, etc.
noun
-
lack of consistency or agreement; incompatibility
-
an inconsistent feature or quality
-
logic
-
the property of being inconsistent
-
a self-contradictory proposition
-
Etymology
Origin of inconsistency
First recorded in 1640–50; in- 3 + consistency
Explanation
When there's inconsistency, things are not the same. An example of inconsistency in parenting might be when parents give different allowances to kids who are the same age. There's a lot of inconsistency in the world. Some restaurants will serve delicious food most of the time, but not all the time. Teachers in different classes will have different rules for what is expected. Another type of inconsistency is between ideas or propositions. For example, if you want to lose weight but cannot stop eating donuts, there is a major inconsistency between those two ideas. Anywhere you find things that are changing or varying, there is inconsistency.
Vocabulary lists containing inconsistency
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"How Smart Are Animals?" Vocabulary from the science article
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Last Cuentista
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Inconsistency surfaced: Tottenham finished the season with five defeats from seven games.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025
Inconsistency threatens to undermine the transformative power of those opportunities.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2022
Inconsistency plagued Trubisky, who reportedly clashed with then-coach Matt Nagy over the Bears offense.
From Washington Times • Mar. 1, 2022
Inconsistency has been the theme of college football across the country this season, and USC has been swept up in that wave as well.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2021
Inconsistency, whether in matters of importance or in trifles, whether in substance or in detail, is never pleasant.
From The Germ Thoughts towards Nature in Poetry, Literature and Art by Rossetti, Dante Gabriel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
