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 These incongruous people end up dying in the same dragon fire and looking the same way in a strangely intimate sort of pose. — Matt Minton, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden. — Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 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 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
  • Her colleagues voted twice last year to censure her for inappropriate criticism of city employees.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Specifically, Pickard said his understanding of the immunity deal is that his testimony about adultery and an inappropriate relationship cannot be used against him as part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
    — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • This time around, both teams are coming in after inconsistent regular seasons, but both have been much better over the last five weeks.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The association with the Human Rights Campaign could create more confusion about Talarico’s stance on the medical issue, as his position has come into question through his inconsistent comments.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of inconsistent
Adjective
  • At one unsuitable Gramercy apartment, Taylor encountered Cam Armand, a salesperson on the Kota team at Compass, and the Folwells enlisted his help.
    — Joyce Cohen, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In a setting designed to make exceptional yachts desirable, explaining why a particular vessel is unsuitable requires commercial discipline.
    — Christoph Lymbersky, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • The amendment, reviewed by The Times, contained conflicting language.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Taken together, the lack of clarity surrounding his disappearance last season, the pre-draft reporting, and the conflicting expectations surrounding his current injury have naturally raised questions about his latest absence.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of conflicting
Adjective
  • The department disagrees that the monitors did anything improper, Pels said.
    — STEVE PEOPLES, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Immigration lawyers say a nearly 10-month improper detention would be rare but not unprecedented.
    — Ryan J. Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • Use safer payment methods When shopping online, paying with a credit card generally gives you stronger protections if an order never arrives or a charge is incorrect.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The figures represent requests for financial assistance, not necessarily complaints about incorrect water bills.
    — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • Without it, the language model is a very expensive way to write faster emails to the wrong people.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Those chats tended to include what was going right or wrong or could be better.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Many of the women in the packed courtroom gallery appeared unhappy when the sentences were rendered.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Andy’s view Almost 14 years into Xi Jinping’s norm-busting reign, just about everybody is unhappy with his economy.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of unhappy

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Cite this Entry

“Incongruous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incongruous. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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