INCONGRUOUS Synonyms: 153 Similar and Opposite Words

incongruous

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈkäŋ-grə-wəs

Definition of incongruous

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

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’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 This rigid, top-down process can seem incongruous with Esperanto’s democratic principles. — Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026 Many objected to the movie’s inconsistent mythology, weak character development, fundamental changes to the persona of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and an overall lack of coherent world-building across Abrams and Johnson’s two incongruous installments. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for incongruous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incongruous

Adjective

In some countries, such as Japan, tipping can even be viewed as awkward, inappropriate, and unnecessary as patrons eat, pay the bill, and simply leave.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Some commenters felt the post was cringeworthy and inappropriate.

— Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

Brought in to be Plum’s partner in the backcourt, Atkins has had an inconsistent offensive season, with career-low scoring and shooting numbers.

— Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
The Longhorns were inconsistent last season, finishing 10th in the SEC before ending with an impressive NCAA tournament performance.

— Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of inconsistent

Adjective

Drivers should avoid off-road detours or unpaved shortcuts suggested by map apps, as those routes can be dangerous and unsuitable for passenger and commercial vehicles, state officials said.

— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 4 July 2026
The dogs were found to be living in unsuitable conditions, while the puppies were suffering from malnutrition, and a number of the dogs had additional medical conditions as well.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Adjective

What happened, Wells' parents say, is a mystery riddled with conflicting stories, implausible explanations and missing details.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
When a consumer double-checks an agent’s recommendation and finds a mismatch—a price discrepancy, a conflicting description or outdated inventory—you’ve lost them permanently.

— Firdosh Tangri, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of conflicting

Adjective

Also requested were documents related to a lawsuit, recently settled for $135,000, claiming Kramer had given an improper assessment of a property and retaliated against an employee who complained.

— Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Thus, the LLCs asserting objections to the alter ego findings as to the trusts were improper.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of improper

Adjective

In 2024, Air Canada's AI agent gave a passenger incorrect information about bereavement fares.

— Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of incorrect

Adjective

Under rules brought in for the World Cup, the reviewable decisions and incidents now include mistaken identity when the referee shows a yellow or red card but clearly penalises the wrong player of either team.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Even when Romanzy goes off on how stupid and ugly Caleb is — and gossips that his parents abandoned him because something must be wrong with him — Mary goes along with it.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026

Definition of wrong

Adjective

Last year, researchers at Harvard University and Baylor University discovered that, on average, young adults aged between 18 to 29 are deeply unhappy.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 July 2026
Licensed cannabis operators in states that have legalized marijuana tend to support the ban—they’re unhappy that hemp intoxicants face far less regulation and taxation than their products.

— Peter Su, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of unhappy

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incongruity

incongruous

incongruously

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“Incongruous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incongruous. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of incongruous

adjective

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