inconsistency

American  

[in-kuhn-sis-tuhn-see] / ˌɪn kənˈsɪs tən si /

Also inconsistence

noun

plural

inconsistencies

1. the quality or condition of being inconsistent.

2. an inconsistent thing, action, remark, etc.

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inconsistency British  

/ ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənsɪ /

noun

1. lack of consistency or agreement; incompatibility

2. an inconsistent feature or quality

3. logic

   1. the property of being inconsistent

   2. a self-contradictory proposition

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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.

Example Sentences

The result was several years in the lowest levels of the minor leagues filled with maddening inconsistency.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

Its inconsistency is nothing new as it hasn’t produced a three-week winning streak in 12 months.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

That inconsistency creates bottlenecks and inconsistency across teams.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

But as Jackson pointed out, the inconsistency runs deeper.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Mrs. Ivy said, “There is a small scheduling inconsistency, Dr. Fox. No need to concern yourself.”

From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo

Related Words

• deviation
• difference
• disagreement
• disparity
• divergence
• inequality
• paradox