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
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Recent Examples of incongruous
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
Christmas lights glow above, strung along the streetlamps, incongruous against the heavy security presence that dominates the scene.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 19 Dec. 2025
His closing joke, which includes a Taylor Swift song that feels pleasantly incongruous with the rest of Maron’s persona, builds to a surprisingly hopeful ending while still being a joke about Maron’s acceptance of death.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incongruous
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
Christmas lights glow above, strung along the streetlamps, incongruous against the heavy security presence that dominates the scene.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 19 Dec. 2025
His closing joke, which includes a Taylor Swift song that feels pleasantly incongruous with the rest of Maron’s persona, builds to a surprisingly hopeful ending while still being a joke about Maron’s acceptance of death.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incongruous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incongruous
Adjective
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And the more powerful drugs on the horizon could bring options for people who don’t get enough benefit from currently available therapies – but also, doctors warned, the risk of inappropriate use.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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Watchdog agency said facilities intentionally misdiagnose residents with dementia to hide inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs.—
Christopher Rowland,
Washington Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Beyond detention, the shutdown has had inconsistent impacts on DHS oversight more broadly, lawmakers and immigration lawyers said in interviews.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2026
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Instead, prosecutors have pointed to sanctions policy and national security concerns — arguments the defense calls both insufficient and inconsistent.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The disease causes bitter, misshapen fruit unsuitable for sale or eating; infected trees eventually die, according to the CDFA.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
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So many clubs have fallen victim to unsuitable ownership and abject mismanagement, dragged down far beyond their natural level.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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After conflicting accounts emerged, Jackson’s son Yusef issued a statement Monday saying the civil rights icon and his Rainbow PUSH Coalition had begun but not completed an endorsement process before Jackson’s death last month.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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The most likely outcome is simply more litigation and more conflicting decisions, including over whether former NBA players may one day join former G Leaguers and European professionals on college courts.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And a new policy was rolled out requiring cops to report improper use of the internal email system.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
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Grout's biggest challenge is cracking from improper installation or too much moisture.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The application for the $100,000 life insurance policy included errors, including an incorrect Social Security number for Eric Richins, an insurance agent testified.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
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An earlier version of the story provided the incorrect month.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As another election approaches, millions of Floridians can prove just how wrong DeSantis was.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
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On isolated occasions a carp has been spotted on the wrong side of the electrical barrier.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The post got 22,000 views, including from unhappy folks living next to data centers, but no helpful information.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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Against this backdrop, the unhappy Angine shops compulsively in a department store and develops a fascination with a playful salesgirl.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incongruous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incongruous. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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