inconsistent
/,inkən'sistənt/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not in agreement or harmony: Describes things that contradict each other or do not match.
- Not staying the same in behavior, quality, or principles: Describes something that changes or varies, lacking steadiness or uniformity.
- Not compatible or in accordance with something: Describes something that is not suitable or does not align with a standard, rule, or expectation.
Usage and Examples
- Describing contradictory information:
- The two witnesses gave inconsistent accounts of the accident. (Their stories did not agree.)
- His actions are inconsistent with his words. (His actions do not match what he says.)
- Describing changeable quality or behavior:
- The team's performance has been inconsistent this season. (Their performance has varied, sometimes good, sometimes bad.)
- She is an inconsistent worker, sometimes excellent and sometimes careless. (Her work quality is not steady.)
- Describing incompatibility:
- Such harsh punishment is inconsistent with our company's values. (The punishment does not align with the values.)
Advanced Usage
- Formal/Logical Context: In logic or arguments, "inconsistent" describes statements that cannot all be true at the same time.
- The suspect's alibi was inconsistent with the forensic evidence.
- Scientific/Technical Context: Refers to data, results, or theories that do not conform to a pattern or expected model.
- The experimental data was inconsistent, requiring further review.
Variants and Related Words
- Inconsistency (noun): The state or fact of being inconsistent.
- The report highlighted several inconsistencies in the financial records.
- Inconsistently (adverb): In an inconsistent manner.
- The policy has been applied inconsistently across different departments.
Synonyms
- Contradictory: Mutually opposed or inconsistent.
- Incompatible: Incapable of existing together in harmony.
- Erratic: Not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable.
- Unreliable: Not able to be relied upon; not consistent.
Antonyms
- Consistent: Acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate.
- Compatible: Able to exist or occur together without conflict.
- Steady: Firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving.
- Constant: Occurring continuously over a period of time.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To be inconsistent with: To not be in keeping with; to conflict with.
- Your conclusion is inconsistent with the facts presented.
- Inconsistent at best: A phrase used to criticize something as being very unreliable or variable, even in its most favorable interpretation.
- His attendance has been inconsistent at best.
Adjective
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not in agreement
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not capable of being made consistent or harmonious
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inconsistent accounts
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displaying a lack of consistency
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inconsistent statements cannot both be true at the same time
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inconsistent with the roadmap
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