# inconsistency

/ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənsi/ (US) · /ɪnkənsˈɪstənsi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inconsistency
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. lack of agreement

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a difference between two statements or facts that should be the same.

For teachers: the state of being self-contradictory or the lack of logical agreement between two or more facts or claims.

- The lawyer pointed out an inconsistency between the witness's two stories.
- The audit revealed a significant inconsistency between the reported earnings and the actual cash flow recorded in the bank statements.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'between' or 'in'.

### 2. unpredictable behavior

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of not staying the same in behavior or quality.

For teachers: the quality of failing to maintain a uniform standard or a predictable pattern of behavior.

- The team lost the game because of the inconsistency of their star player.
- Critics complained about the inconsistency of the director's work, noting that his brilliant debut was followed by several mediocre films.

Usage: Commonly used to describe performance, quality, or human character.

## Examples

- There is an inconsistency between your two reports.
- The lawyer pointed out a major inconsistency in the witness's story, noting that the times mentioned did not match the security footage.
- While the overall thesis is compelling, the author's inconsistency in applying the chosen methodology across all chapters weakens the final argument and leaves several questions unanswered.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.