inconsistent

inconsistent
/in'keuhn sis"teuhnt/, adj.
1. lacking in harmony between the different parts or elements; self-contradictory: an inconsistent story.
2. lacking agreement, as one thing with another or two or more things in relation to each other; at variance: a summary that is inconsistent with the previously stated facts.
3. not consistent in principles, conduct, etc.: He's so inconsistent we never know if he'll be kind or cruel.
4. acting at variance with professed principles.
5. Logic. incompatible (def. 4b).
[1640-50; IN-3 + CONSISTENT]
Syn. 1. incoherent. 2. discrepant, disagreeing, irreconcilable. INCONSISTENT, INCOMPATIBLE, INCONGRUOUS refer to things that are out of keeping with each other. That which is INCONSISTENT involves variance, discrepancy, or even contradiction, esp. from the point of view of truth, reason, or logic: His actions are inconsistent with his statements.
INCOMPATIBLE implies incapability of close association or harmonious relationship, as from differences of nature, character, temperament, and the like: actions incompatible with honesty of purpose; qualities that make two people incompatible. Something that is INCONGRUOUS is inappropriate or out of keeping, often to the point of being ridiculous or absurd: Incongruous characters or situations frequently provide a basis for comedy.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • inconsistent — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ not consistent. DERIVATIVES inconsistency noun inconsistently adverb …   English terms dictionary

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