inconsistency

[ in-kuhn-sis-tuhn-see ]

/ ˌɪn kənˈsɪs tən si /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: inconsistency / inconsistencies on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural in·con·sist·en·cies for 2.

the quality or condition of being inconsistent.

an inconsistent thing, action, remark, etc.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also in·con·sist·ence .

Origin of inconsistency

First recorded in 1640–50; in-³ + consistency

Words nearby inconsistency

inconsequent, inconsequential, inconsiderable, inconsiderate, in consideration of, inconsistency, inconsistent, inconsolable, inconsonant, inconspicuous, inconstant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use inconsistency in a sentence

I do think there are going to be challenges when there’s an inconsistency between taxpayers’ economic-impact numbers and the IRS records.
Tax season 2021: A tornado is coming|Michelle Singletary|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Instead, Diaz thinks that inconsistencies in the research could be because “no two bilingualisms are the same.”
Learning a second language early might have ripple effects throughout your life|Rahul Rao|February 9, 2021|Popular-Science
As the team modified different art assets through the trilogy, they had to be mindful of certain images and symbols not seeping into the wrong game, which could cause narrative inconsistencies.
Everything we know about ‘Mass Effect: Legendary Edition’: No multiplayer, ‘Mass Effect 1’ changes|Elise Favis|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
The amount of inconsistency and even hypocrisy present in Hall of Fame choices rises more and more as we come to know more about who players are off the field.
Wait, Was The Green Bay Field Goal The Right Call?|Sarah Shachat|January 26, 2021|FiveThirtyEight

The longtime scout is used to it going the other way, teenagers regressing or showing inconsistency because, well, they’re teenagers.
The Nationals’ top international signing wows with his glove, and the team is bullish on his bat, too|Jesse Dougherty|January 19, 2021|Washington Post
Independent artist Erika Moen addresses this inconsistency in the inaugural strip of her newest comic series, Oh Joy Sex Toy.
‘Oh Joy Sex Toy’: The Internet’s Most Radical Sex-Fueled Comic Strip|Rich Goldstein|May 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Month-to-month reports exposed an even more alarming inconsistency.
Gov't Abandons Best Survey for Counting U.S. Drug Users|Abby Haglage|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The liberals have allowed that belief to emerge by acquiescing in conservative inconsistency.
Originalists Making It Up Again: McCutcheon and ‘Corruption’|Lawrence Lessig|April 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last year he proved that he still has electric ability, but his inconsistency and durability concerns are worse than ever.
First Mega-Deal Is Done as the NFL’s Free Agent Scrap Begins|Ben Teitelbaum|March 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Inconsistency in Washington politics today is the rule, not the exception, and it goes far beyond bill scoring.
Democrats Can’t Accept the Trade Off of a Job-Killing Minimum Wage|Kristen Soltis Anderson|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But our ancestors were generally so much blinded by prejudice that this inconsistency passed unnoticed.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
The poor girl pitied me from her heart; but, at the same time, reminded me of the strange inconsistency of my principles.
My Ten Years' Imprisonment|Silvio Pellico
Yet we are content to hunt for the motives of this inconsistency of belief and action, instead of rectifying it!
Alone|Marion Harland
Sheridan fanned the flame; he taunted Burke with inconsistency, and pronounced a panegyric on the revolutionary leaders.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
It is better to drop a tear over the inconsistency of human nature, and to bewail those infirmities which cannot be justified.
Fox's Book of Martyrs|John Foxe

British Dictionary definitions for inconsistency

inconsistency

/ (ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

lack of consistency or agreement; incompatibility

an inconsistent feature or quality

logic

the property of being inconsistent
a self-contradictory proposition

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

inconsistency

Origin of inconsistency

Words nearby inconsistency

Words related to inconsistency

How to use inconsistency in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inconsistency