inconsistency
noun
in·con·sis·ten·cy
ˌin-kən-ˈsi-stən(t)-sē 
1
: an instance of being inconsistent
2
: the quality or state of being inconsistent
Examples of inconsistency in a Sentence
Police noticed inconsistency in his two statements.
Customers have been complaining about the inconsistency in the quality of service they have received.
The team's biggest problem has been inconsistency: it has played well at times, but at other times it has played very poorly.
There is some inconsistency in her argument.
Careful editing of the entire text has eliminated inconsistencies of style.
We noted a major inconsistency in his story.
Recent Examples on the Web
But there are questions there, too, with inconsistencies in polls of voters age 18-29, given the small sample sizes of subgroups.
—
Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
As if to underline the inconsistency of the administration’s messaging — and as more Democrats demand a cutoff of U.S. aid — the State Department has since authorized thousands more bombs to be sent to Israel.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Without a common reference frame, confusion can ensue—from small inconveniences to graver problems, such as mapping inconsistencies and navigation errors.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Founded ten years ago, Bowery uses technology to reinvent and reimagine the food chain, decoupling agriculture from the inconsistencies and risks of farming outdoors.
—Heather Wishart-Smith, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
In a season mired with injuries and inconsistency for a team that’s hyper-aware of what critics online think, Kansas certainly could’ve used an easy first-round win to build some confidence.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Other image analysis experts, speaking to the BBC, also noted the inconsistencies in the zipper, in addition to a blurry spot around Princess Charlotte’s knee that appears to be inconsistent with the paving stones in the background.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2024
Chief Public Defender Dawn Butorac said there were inconsistencies between Smerk’s statement and Lawrence’s killing.
—Olivia Diaz, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
And the reasons why — poor execution, bad habits, inconsistency — are frustratingly familiar.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
As if to underline the inconsistency of the administration’s messaging — and as more Democrats demand a cutoff of U.S. aid — the State Department has since authorized thousands more bombs to be sent to Israel.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Without a common reference frame, confusion can ensue—from small inconveniences to graver problems, such as mapping inconsistencies and navigation errors.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Founded ten years ago, Bowery uses technology to reinvent and reimagine the food chain, decoupling agriculture from the inconsistencies and risks of farming outdoors.
—Heather Wishart-Smith, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
In a season mired with injuries and inconsistency for a team that’s hyper-aware of what critics online think, Kansas certainly could’ve used an easy first-round win to build some confidence.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Other image analysis experts, speaking to the BBC, also noted the inconsistencies in the zipper, in addition to a blurry spot around Princess Charlotte’s knee that appears to be inconsistent with the paving stones in the background.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2024
Chief Public Defender Dawn Butorac said there were inconsistencies between Smerk’s statement and Lawrence’s killing.
—Olivia Diaz, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
And the reasons why — poor execution, bad habits, inconsistency — are frustratingly familiar.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inconsistency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inconsistency
Cite this Entry
“Inconsistency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconsistency. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inconsistency
noun
in·con·sis·ten·cy
ˌin-kən-ˈsis-tən-sē
plural inconsistencies
1
: the quality or state of being inconsistent
2
: an example of being inconsistent
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