incongruous

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈkäŋ-grə-wəs How to pronounce incongruous (audio)
Definition of incongruousnext
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

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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 But sticking synthetic turf on one of the world’s most famous beaches struck some as incongruous, or worse. — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026 This response would have been noticeably incongruous with the time, and it would certainly be read as the intentions with which it was likely written, as naming a kind of politics. — Literary Hub, 2 June 2026 There’s something delightfully incongruous about arriving at Rockaway Beach. — Zoey Goto, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2026 During the interview, Villa is wearing a ring from her Close Encounters collection, which showcases incongruous animals and plants living side-by-side. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for incongruous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incongruous
  1. inappropriate
  2. inconsistent
  3. unsuitable
  4. conflicting
  5. improper
  6. incorrect
  7. wrong
  8. unhappy
Adjective
  • The home, along Norris Avenue in the northern Arden-Arcade area, has sparked opposition from neighbors and local officials who say its location near multiple schools and in the middle of a residential neighborhood is inappropriate.
    — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Hochman said Flores simply could have taken notes on the inappropriate comments and turned them in to superiors or the independent inspector general, which strikes me as either sweetly naive or disingenuous.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • Out wide, Oscar Bobb and Kevin, both 23, will compete for starting roles after inconsistent debut campaigns at Craven Cottage.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • That results in inconsistent yields and increasingly low groundwater levels.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of inconsistent
Adjective
  • When channels are created with unsuitable blades, angles, or placement, transplanted hair may grow in an unnatural direction or produce an overly uniform appearance.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Websites often attract unsuitable clients due to ineffective copy, hindering business growth.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • The hunt itself is surprisingly rich in lore, however, as well as in conflicting details.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Test exceptions, conflicting data, policy boundaries and recovery paths before expanding its authority because those hard cases reveal more about readiness than a clean demo.
    — Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of conflicting
Adjective
  • Issues include elevated pH levels,and improper signage, filters and ladders.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • According to the Graves County Sheriff's Office, Flores, an employee at Graves County Middle School, is accused of having an improper relationship with a minor student in the district.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • The fact that the scoreboard was incorrect, Guccione told a pool reporter after the game, does not play a part in the ruling.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The counterweight to that allure is emotional intelligence, the instinct to notice when the numbers are accurate, but the feeling is incorrect.
    — Olatunde Badmus, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • The company’s investment in the hedge fund, as well as wrong-way bets in Asian equity markets, drove part of the losses, said the person, who asked not to be identified citing private details.
    — Katherine Doherty, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe in this new era, more things will go right than wrong for the Mets.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Some Democratic board members noted that voters unhappy with Lukas’ performance can express their dissatisfaction in the 2028 election.
    — Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • When the motorcycle crew was unhappy with the drugs, Hinman and Beausoleil got into a confrontation.
    — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of unhappy

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incongruity
incongruous
incongruously
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Cite this Entry

“Incongruous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incongruous. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on incongruous

Nglish: Translation of incongruous for Spanish Speakers

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