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inconsistency

inconsistency

30 4.8
A situation where things do not match or agree
  • noun
  • /ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənsi/
translation icon : inconsistencia
  • Maxey-Harris said that part of the difficulty in measuring diversity was the inconsistency in the data collected.
  • apparent inconsistency
  • logical inconsistency
  • inconsistency problem

It's full of inconsistencies, and one thing kills another.

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Examples

  • There are points of consistency that run through things, but there's some inconsistencies as well.

  • How do they deal with the ambiguity and the inconsistency that characterize the situation?

    Academic text (1994)
  • Thus, there was inconsistency in the data collection plans and efforts across the pilot sites.

    Academic text (2017)
  • And that inconsistency can be troubling.

  • Recent public opinion polls reveal a curious inconsistency in American attitudes toward the family.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Indeed, the state often diminished incentives to sell to its own agencies through inconsistency and lower prices.

    Academic text (2011)
  • It's undeniable that there are inconsistencies in policing.

  • Not surprisingly, they are often referred to as sight words because of the inconsistencies in their letter sound linkages.

  • The report highlighted the inconsistency in the company's safety practices over the years.

  • Her decision showed a clear inconsistency between her words and actions.

Synonyms

discrepancy
vsinconsistency
76 5.6

A difference between two things that should be the same, like numbers or stories

applies more generally to cases of things failing to agree or stay steady
incongruity
vsinconsistency
6 8.0

A situation where something does not fit or seem right

is broader, used for any mismatch or lack of lasting sameness
incompatibility
vsinconsistency
2 6.7

A situation where two statements cannot both be true at the same time

is broader, covering many mismatches, not only logical impossibilities
inconstancy
vsinconsistency
1 8.6

A tendency to change feelings or opinions and not stay loyal

is wider, covering any failure to agree or remain the same
incongruence
vsinconsistency
1 8.1

A lack of agreement between things or ideas

is the general condition of things not agreeing or remaining steady
discordance
vsinconsistency
1 8.1

A situation where people or groups disagree and feel tension

is a neutral state of things not matching, not necessarily causing conflict
mismatching
vsinconsistency
4.0

A situation when two things do not agree, for example study results

is the general state of things not agreeing or remaining the same
disuniformity
vsinconsistency
9.0

A lack of sameness or evenness in something

is broader, used for various failures to agree or remain steady
inconformity
vsinconsistency
9.4

When something does not agree with rules or expectations

covers any lack of agreement or steadiness beyond rules or patterns
nonconformity
vsinconsistency
7.5

A part that does not match rules or plans

focuses more generally on things failing to agree or stay the same
mutual exclusiveness
vsinconsistency
8.2

A situation where two things cannot both happen or be true at the same time

is more general, applying to varied disagreements not only exclusive cases
contradictoriness
vsinconsistency
9.1

A state where ideas or statements say opposite things and cannot both be true

covers broader lack of agreement, not only direct oppositions
confliction
vsinconsistency
  • Specialized
8.2

A problem when rules or data do not agree

is a general state of mismatch, not focused on systems or problems
irreconcilability
vsinconsistency
9.0

A situation where two people or groups cannot agree even after trying

is less extreme, covering disagreements that can sometimes be resolved
nonreconciliation
vsinconsistency
9.3

A situation when people, groups, or data do not agree

is broader, applying to any mismatch even if reconciliation is possible
erraticism
vsinconsistency
8.4

Unpredictable and inconsistent behavior

is the general idea of things not matching or staying steady
unfixity
vsinconsistency
9.9

A state where something does not stay the same, like color that changes after washing

applies more broadly to mismatch, not only instability or lack of settled state
patchiness
vsinconsistency
7.1

Uneven quality or performance across different parts

is the general notion of disagreement or lack of steadiness beyond quality
unregularity
vsinconsistency
9.6

A lack of a steady or usual pattern

covers general mismatch or lack of steadiness, not only timing issues

Antonyms

77 3.2

The state of things or actions being the same and in agreement

How Consistent

stability
363 3.1
reliability
60 3.5
consistency
77 3.2
inconsistency
30 4.8
irregularity
13 5.1
variability
29 5.7

Surface Forms

inconsistency singular

Morphology

inconsistency = inconsistent (semi-transparent) = in + consist + ent + cy

This is a regular noun formation from the adjective 'inconsistent' meaning the state or quality of being inconsistent.

Etymology

Inconsistency starts with in- ('not') and uses the same root as consistent, which comes from a word meaning 'to stand together'. So an inconsistency is when parts do not 'stand together' — they do not match or stay the same.