inconsistent

[ in-kuhn-sis-tuhnt ]

/ ˌɪn kənˈsɪs tənt /

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See synonyms for: inconsistent / inconsistently on Thesaurus.com

Definition of inconsistent

adjective

lacking in harmony between the different parts or elements; self-contradictory: an inconsistent story.

lacking agreement, as one thing with another or two or more things in relation to each other; at variance: a summary that is inconsistent with the previously stated facts.

not consistent in principles, conduct, etc.: He's so inconsistent we never know if he'll be kind or cruel.

acting at variance with professed principles.

Logic. incompatible (def. 4b).

OTHER WORDS FOR inconsistent

1 incoherent.

2 discrepant, disagreeing, irreconcilable.

See synonyms for inconsistent on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of inconsistent

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

synonym study for inconsistent

2. Inconsistent, incompatible, incongruous refer to things that are out of keeping with each other. That which is inconsistent involves variance, discrepancy, or even contradiction, especially from the point of view of truth, reason, or logic: His actions are inconsistent with his statements. Incompatible implies incapability of close association or harmonious relationship, as from differences of nature, character, temperament, and the like: actions incompatible with honesty of purpose; qualities that make two people incompatible. Something that is incongruous is inappropriate or out of keeping, often to the point of being ridiculous or absurd: Incongruous characters or situations frequently provide a basis for comedy.

OTHER WORDS FROM inconsistent

in·con·sist·ent·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH inconsistent

incontinent, inconsistent

Words nearby inconsistent

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

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

How to use inconsistent in a sentence

An AI hiring tool could satisfy that requirement and still be wildly inconsistent at predicting how well people from different groups actually succeed in the job once they’re hired.
Auditors are testing hiring algorithms for bias, but there’s no easy fix|Amy Nordrum|February 11, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The variability of the data and inconsistent analyses concerned the researchers, who recommend more standardization, stronger analytical approaches and an attempt to collect more information in smaller geographic areas.
HPV vaccine study shows major geographic disparities in people receiving or completing doses to fight the cancer-causing disease|Erin Blakemore|January 31, 2021|Washington Post
Testing and reporting were so scarce and inconsistent that it distorted the numbers that researchers obtained.
The Hard Lessons of Modeling the Coronavirus Pandemic|Jordana Cepelewicz|January 28, 2021|Quanta Magazine
The government’s public health messaging was inconsistent, it lost the public’s trust through a series of scandals and policy U-turns, and more recently, it failed to take decisive measures during the Christmas period.
COVID-19 Has Killed More Than 100,000 in Britain. Why Is the Fatality Rate So High?|Billy Perrigo|January 27, 2021|Time

Compounding the problem, local leaders have repeatedly complained about inconsistent vaccine supplies.
This is how America gets its vaccines|Cat Ferguson|January 27, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The Kim-in-command view, however, seems inconsistent with recent developments.
Why North Korea Released Two Americans|Gordon G. Chang|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In response, voters thought voting for Madison was inconsistent with their thirst for free booze.
Founding Fathers Loved Drunk Voters|Kevin Bleyer|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The burden on plaintiffs in wrongful birth cases “is unique, and is inconsistent with other types of malpractice cases,” she said.
Parents Sue for 'Wrongful Birth'|Elizabeth Picciuto|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As in any other area of law, though, such a belief is not inconsistent with a belief that people may be unjustly accused.
Is It Wrong for Parents to Lock Up Their Disabled Kids?|Elizabeth Picciuto|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, if the people you support are committing acts inconsistent with your own sense of morality, then you should speak out.
How Jon Stewart Made It Okay to Care About Palestinian Suffering|Dean Obeidallah|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Inconsistent hyphenation and inconsistent use of -ise and -ize spellings have been left as in the original.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
Monotheism is strictly inconsistent with the supremacy of “merits” which is the very soul of Oriental religion.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
Their obstreperous loyalty might seem inconsistent with this unideal character, but it is only seeming.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
In what respect has the subsequent conduct of Sir Robert Peel been inconsistent with these declarations?
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Spacing after punctuation standardized, inconsistent hyphenation and archaic spelling retained.
A Brief History of the U. S. S. Imperator, one of the two Largest Ships in the U. S. Navy.|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for inconsistent

inconsistent

/ (ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt) /

adjective

lacking in consistency, agreement, or compatibility; at variance

containing contradictory elements

irregular or fickle in behaviour or mood

Also: incompatible maths (of two or more equations) not having one common set of values of the variables: x + 2 y = 5 and x + 2 y = 6 are inconsistent

logic (of a set of propositions) enabling an explicit contradiction to be validly derived

Derived forms of inconsistent

inconsistently, adverb

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

inconsistent

Definition of inconsistent

OTHER WORDS FOR inconsistent

Origin of inconsistent

synonym study for inconsistent

OTHER WORDS FROM inconsistent

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH inconsistent

Words nearby inconsistent

Words related to inconsistent

How to use inconsistent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inconsistent

Derived forms of inconsistent