inconsistent
Americanadjective
-
lacking in harmony between the different parts or elements; self-contradictory.
an inconsistent story.
- Synonyms:
- incoherent
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- irreconcilable, discrepant
-
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.
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
Related Words
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 Word Forms
- inconsistently adverb
Etymology
Origin of inconsistent
First recorded in 1640–50; in- 3 + consistent
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.
However, the AA has criticised the methods used in the evaluations, including the "inconsistent nature of the figures", which it claimed made it difficult to draw conclusions from the data.
From BBC
The extent of the selloff reflects “internally inconsistent” ideas, according to Arya.
From MarketWatch
CK Hutchison said Panama Ports has been advised that the Supreme Court’s decision and related actions by the Panamanian government regarding its terminal operations are inconsistent with legal frameworks and concession law.
Onetime hit factories like Marvel and Star Wars producer Lucasfilm have become inconsistent at the box office and on streaming, and Disney has struggled to launch original franchises in the past several years.
Morgan, however, questions crypto’s role in a portfolio given the sector’s volatility and “inconsistent correlation” with other asset classes, the report said.
From Barron's
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.
