incongruous

[ in-kong-groo-uhs ]

adjective

1. out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming:

   an incongruous effect; incongruous behavior.

   Synonyms: absurd, ludicrous, ridiculous, unsuitable, discrepant

   Antonyms: appropriate, becoming

2. not harmonious in character; inconsonant; lacking harmony of parts:

   an incongruous mixture of architectural styles.

   Synonyms: discordant, inharmonious

   Antonyms: consonant

3. inconsistent:

   actions that were incongruous with their professed principles.

   Synonyms: contradictory, contrary

   Antonyms: consistent

incongruous

/ ɪnˈkɒŋɡrʊəs /

adjective

1. whenpostpositive, foll by with or to incompatible with (what is suitable); inappropriate
2. containing disparate or discordant elements or parts

Derived Forms

• inˈcongruously, adverb
• inˈcongruousness, noun

Other Words From

• in·congru·ous·ly adverb
• in·congru·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incongruous¹

First recorded in 1605–15, incongruous is from the Latin word incongruus “inconsistent.” See in- ³, congruous

Synonym Study

See inconsistent.

Example Sentences

On the small stage, with another hundred people in the audience, sat or stood a rather incongruous group of actors.

From The Daily Beast

Minaj further mystifies her motives by layering these terrifying, offensive visual cues with her own totally incongruous lyrics.

From The Daily Beast

They got smaller and smaller; and the costumes became more and more incongruous and outrageous.

From The Daily Beast

Even those who were not already republicans wanted the royals to be more aware of how incongruous their profligacy seemed.

From The Daily Beast

On its face, Israel surely seems incongruous in this collection, but it could actually fill several important roles.

From The Daily Beast

When he returned to the hotel he kissed his incongruous room-mate with the gentleness of a woman.

From Project Gutenberg

The little name sounded so incongruous; it did not suit the big gaunt woman who had almost a touch of the monstrous in her.

From Project Gutenberg

In the whole city there was not such another incongruous gathering of activities.

From Project Gutenberg

She made him a stately courtesy for the benefit of the three faces glued against the panes, but her words were incongruous.

From Project Gutenberg

"I guess I'm not a very—good business manager," faltered the red-lipped voice with incongruous pathos.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bizarre
• contradictory
• inappropriate
• incoherent
• incompatible