1
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
there's an incongruous modernism to the actor's performance in this period piece
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inconsistent
not being in agreement or harmony
incongruous theories about the origins of matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incongruous
There can’t be too many quotes attributed to such an incongruous triumvirate, but then there are few instruments as polarizing as the squeeze-box.
—
Jonathan Margolis, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026
That apparently incongruous collection of statistics captures the befuddling nature of this rollercoaster season.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The local institution that was Rayner followed an incongruous path to Chicago and children’s television.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
But many outsiders were also alarmed by their ritual dances, whose intensity and emotion demonstrated a physicality seemingly incongruous with their celibacy.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incongruous
Jonathan Margolis, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026
That apparently incongruous collection of statistics captures the befuddling nature of this rollercoaster season.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The local institution that was Rayner followed an incongruous path to Chicago and children’s television.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
But many outsiders were also alarmed by their ritual dances, whose intensity and emotion demonstrated a physicality seemingly incongruous with their celibacy.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incongruous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incongruous
Adjective
-
Horner seemed calm and articulate and also made inappropriate jokes during the interview, Espinoza said.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Swalwell has denied the allegations of inappropriate behavior with female staffers, which his camp argues are coming from online influencers connected to his opponents.—
Julie Watts,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The veteran forward spent the previous 3 1/2 seasons with the Ducks, but struggled to produce during inconsistent playing time from Quenneville before his departure at the deadline.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
After an inconsistent season as a pitcher last spring, Gluting is ready to break out in that aspect of the game as well.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
He was accused of creating spectacle and of designing spaces unsuitable for art.—
Norman Foster,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Goan cobras are migrating to new and unsuitable habitats by train.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Over the past 48 hours, officials involved in negotiations gave conflicting statements about whether Lebanon is included in the ceasefire.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the unanswered questions and conflicting comments throughout the afternoon, markets had an overwhelmingly positive response to the news.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Last month the Maryland Senate passed the PACE Act — Senate Bill 475 — which would establish guardrails to prevent the improper use of art as evidence in criminal trials.—
Ivan J. Bates,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Words with letters dropped off the end or entire phrases strung together to form new words were seen as improper speech of the uneducated and poor.—
Moriah Humiston,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Google disputes the results and notes that Oumi used the SimpleQA benchmark, an AI test developed by OpenAI that contains incorrect information in its own right.—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Google spokesperson Ned Adriance tells the Times that Google believes SimpleQA contains incorrect information.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sometimes that’s totally wrong, because people are overestimating their kids or underestimating Joan Mitchell or whomever.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Or show off the Sombor Shuffle with an 11-footer off the wrong foot.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Auriemma was apparently unhappy with the officiating in the game and the disparity in free throw shooting.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the changes, some in the Senate were still unhappy with the final iteration.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incongruous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incongruous. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
