as in paradox
someone or something with qualities or features that seem to conflict with one another
she's an incongruity: an impeccably groomed woman who keeps a messy house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 incongruity
That creates a certain level of incongruity on those campuses.
—
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
So the incongruity might be coming from a place of the myth of meritocracy.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Bloomberg cited mortgage experts who said there were no signs of wrongdoing from Bessent based on the conflicting agreements, arguing that incongruity in mortgage filings doesn’t always provide proof of fraud.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025
Likewise, the airy comedy (boosted by Thomas Newman’s sprightly if familiar-sounding score) insists on the seeming incongruity between the film’s lovely setting and its darker subject matter.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incongruity
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
So the incongruity might be coming from a place of the myth of meritocracy.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Bloomberg cited mortgage experts who said there were no signs of wrongdoing from Bessent based on the conflicting agreements, arguing that incongruity in mortgage filings doesn’t always provide proof of fraud.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025
Likewise, the airy comedy (boosted by Thomas Newman’s sprightly if familiar-sounding score) insists on the seeming incongruity between the film’s lovely setting and its darker subject matter.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incongruity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incongruity
paradox
Noun
-
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, an unsolved mystery playing out in real time, embodies a similar paradox.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
There are myriad appeals processes open to anyone who is dissatisfied with their assessment, creating a paradox with which anyone who has bought and sold property in the county is all too familiar.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incongruity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incongruity. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
