incongruous

in·con·gru·ous

adj \(ˌ)in-ˈkäŋ-grə-wəs\

Definition of INCONGRUOUS

: lacking congruity: as a : not harmonious : incompatible <incongruous colors> b : not conforming : disagreeing <conduct incongruous with principle> c : inconsistent within itself <an incongruous story> d : lacking propriety : unsuitable <incongruous manners>

— in·con·gru·ous·ly adverb

— in·con·gru·ous·ness noun

Examples of INCONGRUOUS

1. His outburst seemed incongruous to those who know him well.
2. <there's an incongruous modernism to the actor's performance in this period piece>
3. There is something incongruous about Oslo. —Hugh C. McDonald, The Hour of the Blue Fox, 1975
4. … it would be as incongruous to meet her at the end of a chapter as it would be to see the dawn break in the west … —Herman Wouk, Aurora Dawn, 1947
5. He ate enormously, with a zest which seemed incongruous with his spare frame. —Willa Cather, The Song of the Lark, 1915

Origin of INCONGRUOUS

Late Latin incongruus, from Latin in- + congruus congruous

First Known Use: 1611

Related to INCONGRUOUS

Synonyms: amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inapt, inappropriate, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, unbecoming, unfit, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable, untoward, wrong

Antonyms: appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fit, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable

Related Words: inopportune, unfortunate, unseasonable, untimely; extraneous, immaterial, inapplicable, irrelative, irrelevant; misbecoming, mismatched; incompatible, inconsistent, uncongenial; bad, naughty, sinful; blamable, blameworthy, censurable; banned, barred, disallowed; forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed; awkward, gauche, ungraceful; unacceptable, unsatisfactory

Near Antonyms: fortunate, opportune, seasonable, timely; applicable, apposite, apropos, apt, germane, material, pat, pointed, relative, relevant; compatible, congenial, harmonious; allowed, authorized, permitted; approved, endorsed (also indorsed), kosher, licensed, sanctioned; abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported; acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fine, OK (or okay), passable, respectable, satisfactory, tolerable; commendable, creditable, exemplary; blameless, irreproachable; balanced, companionate, congruous, consonant, harmonious

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