inconsistent
Not reliably steady
Inconsistent describes something that lacks uniformity, regularity, or agreement with itself or with something else.
A person with inconsistent behavior acts differently in similar situations, making them hard to predict.
Evidence can be inconsistent with a theory, meaning it doesn't support or align with it.
Performance that is inconsistent varies in quality from one occasion to the next: Her shooting has been inconsistent all season.
The word often carries a negative connotation, suggesting unreliability or contradiction.
Subject to sudden changes
- mercurialProne to sudden change
- volatileLiable to sudden change
- moodyProne to sullenness
- fickleErratically disloyal in affection
whimsical · impulsive · temperamental · changeable · unpredictable · flighty · erratic · unstable
Occurring irregularly, infrequently
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- intermittentOccurring at irregular intervals
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
- fluctuatingShifting irregularly over time
patchy · random · scattered · haphazard · discontinuous · choppy · hit-or-miss · desultory
Not consistently trustworthy
- untrustworthyNot deserving of confidence
- flakyCrumbly or unreliable
- faultyHaving defects or errors
- fallibleCapable of error
questionable · dubious · iffy · spotty · shaky · irresponsible · negligent · shoddy
Seemingly absurd truth
- discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
- incongruityLack of harmony
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- hypocrisyPretense of virtue
oxymoron · dichotomy · antithesis · counterintuitive · irony · anomaly · mismatch · conflicting
Tending to teeter
- shakyTrembling or unstable
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
- ricketyUnsteady, liable to collapse
- precariousDangerously insecure
tippy · teeter · lopsided · off-balance · tottering · unsettled · loose · unfixed
Sensation of spinning
- queasyMildly sick to stomach
- disorientedLacking sense of direction
- shakyTrembling or unstable
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
lightheaded · woozy · off-balance · faltering · stumbling · wobbly · vertigo · seasick
capricious
Subject to sudden changes
fickle · whimsical · impulsive · temperamental · changeable · unpredictable · flighty · erratic · unstable · wishy-washy
sporadic
Occurring irregularly, infrequently
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- intermittentOccurring at irregular intervals
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
fluctuating · patchy · random · scattered · haphazard · discontinuous · choppy · hit-or-miss · desultory · unpredictable
undependable
Not consistently trustworthy
- untrustworthyNot deserving of confidence
- flakyCrumbly or unreliable
- faultyHaving defects or errors
fallible · questionable · dubious · iffy · spotty · shaky · irresponsible · negligent · shoddy · sloppy
paradox
Seemingly absurd truth
- discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
- incongruityLack of harmony
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
hypocrisy · oxymoron · dichotomy · antithesis · counterintuitive · irony · anomaly · mismatch · conflicting · clashing
wobbly
Tending to teeter
precarious · tippy · teeter · lopsided · off-balance · tottering · unsettled · loose · unfixed · unanchored
dizzy
Sensation of spinning
- queasyMildly sick to stomach
- disorientedLacking sense of direction
- shakyTrembling or unstable
unsteady · lightheaded · woozy · off-balance · faltering · stumbling · wobbly · vertigo · seasick · nauseous
- handwritingcursive, block letters, penmanship, print letters, legible
- work traitshardworking, diligent, productive, efficient, lazy
- IN- wordsinactive, incomplete, invisible, inside, indoor
- unevenuneven, irregular, unequal, nonuniform, asymmetric
- unpredictableunpredictable, uncertain, unreliable, erratic, variable
- compatibilitycompatible, incompatible, match, mismatch, fit
inconsistentreliable
Consistently performing as expected
consistent · dependable · steady · trustworthy · steadfast
inconsistentconsistent
Not varying or contradicting
coherent · congruent · compatible · harmonious · consonant
inconsistentuniform
Identical throughout
consistent · steady · regular · even · unchanging
- logical inconsistencyFlaw in reasoning coherence