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

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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 There’s always one room in a home that feels somewhat incongruous. — Hannah Coates, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • Lucy’s behavior may be frustratingly inconsistent, but many viewers will recognize the immeasurable suffering that drives it.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • That triggers First Amendment protection, and that means there cannot be viewpoint discrimination or unreasonable restrictions that are inconsistent with the speech activities imposed on the journalists.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of inconsistent
Adjective
  • The Bears have said previously that they are focused on pursuing a $2 billion stadium across the state line in Hammond or in suburban Arlington Heights, and that the Rate Field site was unsuitable, citing in part its limited size.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The combination of leverage, daily resets, volatility, financing costs and higher expense ratios can make these products unsuitable as long-term buy-and-hold investments.
    — Daniel Kern, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • The committee noted conflicting evidence on the drug’s efficacy and clear safety risks, including brain bleeds, in large numbers of patients.
    — C. Joseph Ross Daval, STAT, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Jocelyn Jackson knew both the victim and the defendant, but has given conflicting answers about whether Mo3 and Beezy actually had a feud.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 27 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
  • The first step is to ask the lender to reconsider the value if the appraisal overlooked a recent sale or got the details wrong.
    — Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Schubarth said that statements from prosecutors that he was motivated to create a hybrid ram with giant horns in order to upsell to commercial shooting operations are wrong.
    — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 29 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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