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
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
The pairing was just aesthetically incongruous enough to be delightful.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incongruous
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
The pairing was just aesthetically incongruous enough to be delightful.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incongruous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incongruous
Adjective
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Others include copropraxia, or obscene gestures, and non-obscene but socially inappropriate tics, such as making kissing sounds, spitting or touching others.—
Rena Zito,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
In a previous complaint against the companies, it was noted that Garcia-Espinal has a criminal background and a long pattern of inappropriate behavior.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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His 3-point shooting has been inconsistent, and his perimeter defense remains a developmental area, but his ability to affect games without needing plays called for him gives him a potential pathway to a niche role.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2026
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But their presence and execution remain inconsistent across platforms and content.—
Abbey White,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Environmental chemist Cassandra Rauert noted that this technique is currently unsuitable for identifying polyethylene or PVC in human tissue because molecules from human fat can mimic the signal of these plastics.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
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This is a significant issue for a project intended for deep-space mission launches, microgravity research, and space manufacturing – only for it to be found unsuitable for any of those goals, largely due to the presence of the astronauts themselves.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But it’s evolved into an even better production, one that manages to be simultaneously outrageous and moving, carrying its conflicting emotional extremes with grace and nuance.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
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Especially fascinating is the film’s conflicting commentary, from McCartney and members of the various iterations of Wings, about his attempts to create an egalitarian experience rather than a star-plus-backup-band situation.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
He was cited for making an improper turn.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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Such deficiencies raise the risk of improper or unauthorized spending and echo broader concerns about unexplained federal revenue entries.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Unfortunately, those ideas were proven to be incorrect more than a hundred years ago.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Feb. 2026
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Republicans complained that some organizations had been listed twice in the mammoth, 693-page budget bill and others had incorrect names.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Colin Gray, at his construction job, texted him what was wrong, but the teen didn’t respond, text evidence shows.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
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There are no wrong moves, only infinite possibilities.—
Talia Abbas,
Vogue,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Incensed, Oseguera plotted revenge in 2009 and 2010 with others who were unhappy with Milenio’s new leadership and spearheaded a deadly coup.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
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Last summer, the city also confirmed that since Crow Tow took over vehicle releases from the Police Department, no appeals hearings had been held for anyone unhappy with impounding or the prices the company charges.—
Lee Rood,
Des Moines Register,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incongruous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incongruous. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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