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 Word Forms

• 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

But the exceptional nature of McDonald’s gifts strikes an incongruous note.

From Los Angeles Times

Some other shots are so incongruous that they’re less like jokes and more like editing mistakes, making the film genuinely difficult to follow at points.

From Salon

The authors explain that this approach, though seemingly incongruous, is actually quite sensible.

From Salon

A neighbor who had known De Rothschild for many years told The Times he was surprised by the incongruous findings.

From Los Angeles Times

Amid the monstrous heaps of twisted metal, pools of congealed oil and walls pockmarked by shrapnel, one incongruous detail catches my eye.

From BBC

Related Words

• bizarre
• contradictory
• inappropriate
• incoherent
• incompatible