consistent

adjective

con·​sis·​tent kən-ˈsi-stənt How to pronounce consistent (audio)
1
a
: marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction
a consistent style in painting
b
: marked by agreement : compatible
usually used with with
statements not consistent with the truth
c
: showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom
a consistent patriot
2
: tending to be arbitrarily close to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes large
a consistent statistical estimator
3
archaic : possessing firmness or coherence
consistently adverb

Examples of consistent in a Sentence

… the sixty-five-year-old filmmaker continues to practice his craft with consistent artistic aplomb. Peter Travers, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2001
I am not consistent about giving vibrancy and other kinds of input to a relationship.  … There are periods when I am the most attentive and thoughtful lover in the world, and periods, too, when I am just unavailable. Toni Cade Bambara, "A Conversation with Claudia Tate," in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters1987
One of the strengths of Blake's letters is their consistent readability … William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, (1953) 1982
The rhythm of the gesture never varied. The paper flew in identically the same arc at each doorway, landed in identically the same spot. It was impossible for anybody to throw with such consistent perfection. Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time, (1962) 1976
He is a consistent supporter of the museum. We need to be more consistent in handling this problem. Customers expect that the quality of service they receive will be consistent. The pain has been consistent. Your grades have shown consistent improvement this school year. Their descriptions of the accident were consistent. The decision was consistent with the company's policy.
Recent Examples on the Web These companies may decide to make the updates available globally to keep everyone’s experience consistent, restrict them to the European Union or chart a path into the middle ground. Chris Velazco, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey had a clear objective this offseason—Be more consistent at the plate. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 The comedian also spoke in the set about how she’s struggled to find consistent roles since Euphoria premiered and has gone off the air in between seasons. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Maintain a consistent cadence, use your legs, not your back, and remember to hydrate. David A. Brown, Field & Stream, 7 Mar. 2024 That is, a structured, consistent and beneficial presence in communities. Elisabeth Zerofsky, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Oversight for these migrant support services is thin, and government funding – though never sizable nor consistent – has essentially disappeared under the austerity measures of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024 However, with consistent improvements, Noah Lyles will certainly provide a close contest to his on-track rival in future events. Paras Jan, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 The more consistent Republicans understand the full implications of the Court’s ruling and are explicit about their desire to eliminate IVF treatments, either through an outright ban or the most intrusive of regulations. Darryl Wright, Orange County Register, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consistent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin consistent-, consistens, present participle of consistere "to come to a halt, remain at the same level, take up a position, reside, be composed of, be established (in a given state)" — more at consist entry 1

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of consistent was in 1638

Dictionary Entries Near consistent

Cite this Entry

“Consistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consistent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

consistent

adjective
con·​sis·​tent kən-ˈsis-tənt How to pronounce consistent (audio)
1
: being in agreement or harmony
actions consistent with our policy
2
: being unchanging in behavior or beliefs
a consistent supporter
consistently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on consistent

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