incongruous

[in-kong-groo-uhs] / ɪnˈkɒŋ gru əs /

ADJECTIVE

out of place; absurd

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bizarre contradictory inappropriate incoherent incompatible

WEAK

alien conflicting disconsonant discordant disparate distorted divergent extraneous fantastic fitful foreign illogical improper inapropos inapt incongruent inconsistent irreconcilable irregular jumbled lopsided mismatched out of keeping rambling shifting twisted unavailing unbalanced unbecoming unconnected uncoordinated uneven unintelligible unpredictable unrelated unsuitable unsuited

Antonyms

WEAK

compatible congruous consistent corresponding fitting harmonious matched suitable uniform

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The talent show seemed a somewhat incongruous place for the list to be read out, given that one of the acts being honoured was the famously gloomy Manchester post-punk band Joy Division.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Along steep and narrow trails, a few rustic taverns for wine guzzling seem incongruous in the midst of all of the ruggedness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Its pale blue packaging features snowy landscapes, which appear incongruous compared to the jungle surrounding the building.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

They called the place La Ciénega, a corruption of an Indigenous word and an incongruous name — the swamp — in a desert wasteland.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

It looked incongruous, floating there in the water, so odd in its shape compared to the sleek, slippery design of fish.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Vocabulary lists containing incongruous

Grade 10, List 2

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Brave New World

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This Week in Words: September 29 - October 5, 2018

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