incongruity

noun

in·​con·​gru·​i·​ty ˌin-kən-ˈgrü-ə-tē 

-ˌkän-

plural incongruities

1

: the quality or state of being incongruous

2

: something that is incongruous

Synonyms

• contradiction
• dichotomy
• paradox

Examples of incongruity in a Sentence

she's an incongruity: an impeccably groomed woman who keeps a messy house

Recent Examples on the Web

Understand nuance, relational differences, and can deal with incongruity. —Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Camp is this aesthetic of ironic juxtaposition, taking something that might be shocking in its incongruity, and then using it to create a cool or humorous effect. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025

The incongruity of the black tooth and the dignified voice of Joan Crawford shows a next-level artistic understanding of the best of TikTok. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025

In another show, with a lesser writer, such incongruities could be read as character inconsistencies, accidental oversights, mistakes. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for incongruity

• ambiguity
• contiguity
• continuity
• ingenuity
• perpetuity
• perspicuity
• promiscuity
• superfluity
• acuity
• annuity
• circuity
• congruity