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
Relevance
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
These new regulations may be incongruous with state policies about identification documents.
—
Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
That concept is, after all, incongruous with the ethos and look of Eckhaus Latta.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
There can’t be too many quotes attributed to such an incongruous triumvirate, but then there are few instruments as polarizing as the squeeze-box.
—Jonathan Margolis, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026
That apparently incongruous collection of statistics captures the befuddling nature of this rollercoaster season.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incongruous
Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
That concept is, after all, incongruous with the ethos and look of Eckhaus Latta.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
There can’t be too many quotes attributed to such an incongruous triumvirate, but then there are few instruments as polarizing as the squeeze-box.
—Jonathan Margolis, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026
That apparently incongruous collection of statistics captures the befuddling nature of this rollercoaster season.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incongruous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incongruous
Adjective
-
Some neighbors greeted news of the project’s demise with relief, saying the location — a residential area with large swaths of undeveloped land — was inappropriate for a commercial venture.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The bid documents show the company has settled at least 56 suits that alleged medical negligence or inappropriate medical care.—
Nichole Manna,
ProPublica,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
New York outscored Atlanta by roughly 20 points per 100 possessions with Robinson on the floor — yet minutes were inconsistent.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
Clegg was Plascencia’s understudy and the favorite to win the job this season, but was inconsistent throughout the spring.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The team found that several 2D materials praised for their electronic properties may become unsuitable once they are built into real devices.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Lara’s pre-operative test results were abnormal, and revealed clear signs of keratoconus, making LASIK unsuitable.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While chia seeds have nutrients linked to cholesterol management, research shows conflicting evidence about their direct impact on cholesterol levels.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2026
-
If voters approve conflicting ballot measures, the one with more yes votes would take effect.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Maduko’s resignation comes after former chancellor Terrence Cheng was removed from his position and transferred into a new role, following a 2024 audit that showed improper spending on meals, alcohol and chauffeur services.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Earlier this month, Democratic Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig said her team is tracking 20 medical cases with improper care within ICE detention.—
Beret Leone,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Moreover, most of the assertions made by those seeking to undermine the dark matter hypothesis are now demonstrably incorrect, ruled out by the existing data.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Administrative errors or outdated income information can also lead to incorrect withholding amounts, which may temporarily increase what's taken until corrected.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Wallace and her collaborators scrambled to get into the water; the whale was swimming in the wrong direction, toward some docks.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
-
What most people get wrong is conflating the theme of the exhibition with the dress code for the evening.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Alex Cora was clearly unhappy towards the end.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There were thousands of unhappy Stagecoach festivalgoers on Saturday night, as the approximately 75,000-80,000 guests were forced to evacuate due to high winds.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incongruous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incongruous. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
