inconsistent
gb/ˌɪŋkənsˈɪstənt/ us/ˌɪŋkənsˈɪstənt/
B2
English
~ 7900
ingadozó, változékony, változó, következetlen, megbízhatatlan, nincs összhangban, ellentmondó, összeegyeztethetetlen, inkonzisztens, ellentmondásos
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to be inconsistent in [something]
The team's inconsistent performance made it impossible to know whether they would win or lose.
A csapat ingadozó teljesítménye miatt nem lehetett tudni, hogy nyernek-e vagy veszítenek.
Sales have been inconsistent this year, with some months far better than others.
Az eladások idén nagyon ingadoztak: egyes hónapok sokkal jobbak voltak, mint mások.
Her sleep schedule is so inconsistent that she often feels tired during the day.
The Wi‑Fi signal is inconsistent, so the video keeps freezing.
He was dropped from the starting lineup because of his inconsistent shooting.
Learner examples
The weather is very inconsistent in spring.
Tavasszal nagyon változékony az idő.
My internet is inconsistent, so I cannot watch movies easily.
Az internetkapcsolatom ingadozó, ezért nehezen tudok filmeket nézni.
Her test scores are inconsistent from month to month.
The machine is inconsistent and sometimes stops for no reason.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *“inconsistence”* instead of the adjective *“inconsistent”*, or use *“not consistent”* when *“inconsistent”* is more natural and concise (e.g., *“His work is inconsistent,”* not *“His work is not consistent.”*).
Meaning
not regular or stable
Collocations
inconsistent results
|inconsistent performance
|inconsistent behavior
|inconsistent quality
|wildly inconsistent
|highly inconsistent
Synonyms
irregular (suggests a pattern that does not follow a normal or expected rhythm or schedule.)
|
variable (focuses on the fact that something changes, without strongly implying it is a problem.)
|
erratic (stronger and often more negative, implying sudden, surprising, or worrying changes.)
Antonyms
consistent (stays the same in quality or behavior over time.)
|
steady (emphasizes smooth, stable, and reliable lack of change.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
not the same each time; changing in a way you cannot easily predict
Not staying the same in quality, amount, or behavior; changing in an irregular or unpredictable way.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to be inconsistent about [something]
He is a talented but inconsistent manager who changes his mind from one week to the next.
Tehetséges, de következetlen vezető, aki egyik hétről a másikra meggondolja magát.
Parents who are inconsistent with rules can confuse their children.
Azok a szülők, akik következetlenül alkalmazzák a szabályokat, összezavarhatják a gyerekeiket.
The company has been inconsistent in how it applies its dress code.
Her support has been inconsistent; some days she helps a lot, and other days she disappears.
Judges must avoid inconsistent treatment of similar cases.
Learner examples
My boss is inconsistent about deadlines.
A főnököm következetlen a határidőkkel kapcsolatban.
He is an inconsistent friend and often cancels plans.
Megbízhatatlan barát, és gyakran lemondja a közös programokat.
The teacher is inconsistent with homework rules.
The coach is inconsistent and changes the team every game.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *“inconsistent”* with *“inconsiderate”*. *“Inconsistent”* is about not acting the same way each time; *“inconsiderate”* means not thinking about other people’s feelings.
Meaning
not reliable in actions
Collocations
inconsistent parenting
|inconsistent leadership
|inconsistent policy
|inconsistent standards
|inconsistent decision‑making
|inconsistent enforcement
Synonyms
unreliable (strongly emphasizes that someone or something cannot be depended on.)
|
fickle (often about feelings or loyalties that change easily and unexpectedly.)
|
changeable (describes a tendency to change, sometimes without suggesting strong criticism.)
Antonyms
reliable (can be trusted to behave or perform in the same way each time.)
|
dependable (similar to ‘reliable’, especially for people you can count on over time.)
Themes
relationships
|work
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
often changing how you act or make decisions, so other people cannot depend on you or on the rules you use
Describing a person, action, or policy that does not follow the same way of doing things or the same rules each time, so people cannot rely on it.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to be inconsistent with [something]
His explanation is inconsistent with the facts we already know.
A magyarázata nincs összhangban a már ismert tényekkel.
The witness gave two statements that were clearly inconsistent with each other.
A tanú két olyan vallomást tett, amelyek egyértelműen ellentmondtak egymásnak.
The new proposal is inconsistent with the company’s long‑term strategy.
Such comments are inconsistent with our values as an organization.
The measurements are inconsistent with the theory they are supposed to support.
Learner examples
His words are inconsistent with his actions.
A szavai nincsenek összhangban a tetteivel.
The report is inconsistent with the numbers in the table.
A jelentés nincs összhangban a táblázatban szereplő számokkal.
Her story is inconsistent with what I saw.
These rules are inconsistent with the law.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes add an extra preposition and say *“inconsistent to”* or *“inconsistent for”*. The natural pattern is *“inconsistent with [something]”* (e.g., *“inconsistent with our policy”*).
Meaning
not in agreement with something
Collocations
inconsistent with the evidence
|inconsistent with his story
|inconsistent with our values
|inconsistent with company policy
|mutually inconsistent
|inconsistent with previous statements
Synonyms
conflicting (general word for things that do not fit together or agree.)
|
contradictory (stronger; suggests that if one thing is true, the other must be false.)
|
incompatible (cannot exist or work well together without causing problems.)
Antonyms
compatible (able to exist or be true together without conflict.)
|
in line (with) (used to say something matches or follows a rule, idea, or standard.)
Themes
law
|science
|communication
|logic
|core_vocabulary
Definition
not in agreement with something else; different in a way that makes it hard for both to be true or right at the same time
Not matching or fitting with something else, especially another fact, statement, promise, or standard, so that they cannot all be correct or appropriate together.
C1
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
to be inconsistent as a [system/theory/set of axioms]
If the axioms are inconsistent, the entire logical system collapses.
Ha az axiómák inkonzisztensek, az egész logikai rendszer összeomlik.
The court rejected the argument as based on an internally inconsistent theory of liability.
A bíróság elutasította az érvelést, mert az egy belsőleg ellentmondásos felelősségi elméleten alapult.
An inconsistent set of equations cannot all be satisfied by the same values.
Learner examples
In math, an inconsistent system has a contradiction.
A matematikában egy inkonzisztens rendszer ellentmondást tartalmaz.
A good theory should not be logically inconsistent.
Egy jó elmélet nem lehet logikailag ellentmondásos.
The professor showed that the old rules were inconsistent.
Meaning
logically self‑contradictory
Collocations
inconsistent axioms
|inconsistent system
|inconsistent theory
|inconsistent set of equations
|logically inconsistent
|mathematically inconsistent
Synonyms
self‑contradictory (explicitly highlights that the system or set of statements contradicts itself.)
|
non‑coherent (less common; focuses on lack of internal logical unity rather than a sharp contradiction.)
Antonyms
consistent (in logic, means that no contradiction can be derived from the system or set of statements.)
Themes
logic
|mathematics
|philosophy
|science
|education
Definition
in logic or math, having ideas or rules that cannot all be true at the same time because they contradict each other
In logic, mathematics, or formal systems, describing a set of statements, rules, or equations that includes a contradiction, so that they cannot all be true at once.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inconsistent
IPA
GB/ˌɪŋkənsˈɪstənt/
US/ˌɪŋkənsˈɪstənt/
Syllables & stress
in - con - sist - ent (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (sist)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: inconsistent
Word family
Core family
Related words
Expressions
inconsistent with
1/ˌɪŋkənsˈɪstənt wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
not matching or agreeing with
used to say that one thing does not match, agree with, or fit another thing, such as a fact, rule, or promise
Examples
- His account of the accident is inconsistent with what other witnesses said.
- The judge found the new law to be inconsistent with the constitution.
- Skipping safety checks is inconsistent with our company policy.