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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incongruous
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
The local institution that was Rayner followed an incongruous path to Chicago and children’s television.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for incongruous
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
The local institution that was Rayner followed an incongruous path to Chicago and children’s television.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for incongruous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incongruous
Adjective
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The decision to hire independent, outside counsel comes after two district employees were arrested last month, both accused of inappropriate relationships with students.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Separately, Ryals allegedly admitted to inappropriate contact with the victim while alone at the Howe Fire Station, court documents said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The veteran forward spent the previous 3 1/2 seasons with the Ducks, but struggled to produce during inconsistent playing time from Quenneville before his departure at the deadline.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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After an inconsistent season as a pitcher last spring, Gluting is ready to break out in that aspect of the game as well.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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He was accused of creating spectacle and of designing spaces unsuitable for art.—
Norman Foster,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
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Goan cobras are migrating to new and unsuitable habitats by train.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Following the events of A Palace Near the Wind, Liu Lufeng and her siblings flee the Palace for the dangerous waters, which contain rebels, allies, and her sister Sangshu—though Sangshu’s conflicting loyalties may clash with Lufeng’s plan to keep them all safe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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The legal conversation is settled, and far more explicit than other consequential decisions in which the court must weigh potentially conflicting precedents and nebulous congressional intent.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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What the report found In response to the allegations in Minnesota, Abbott issued six directives to the state workforce and human services commissions to identify if Texas had a problem with improper payments, specifically with fraud.—
Jess Huff,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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Manufacturers, though, don’t have to comply if the breakdown is the result of neglect or improper modifications made by the consumer.—
Gray Rohrer,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Nevada County’s admission comes as AI programs are under close watch around the globe for introducing incorrect legal references in cases, yet also increasingly offered as tools to help lawyers and judges research and write their briefs, motions and opinions.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Gemini 3 Pro invented elaborate technical justifications for marking incorrect answers as correct, reasoning that doing so would bring the peer’s score above the shutdown threshold.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Sometimes that’s totally wrong, because people are overestimating their kids or underestimating Joan Mitchell or whomever.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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Or show off the Sombor Shuffle with an 11-footer off the wrong foot.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The 28-year-old receiver is reportedly unhappy with his situation in Philadelphia, despite winning a Super Bowl a little over a year ago.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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But there may be an answer, or at least a compromise that will satisfy those unhappy with the idea of destroying a usable building.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incongruous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incongruous. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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