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Incongruity: meaning, definitions and examples

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incongruity

 

[ˌɪn.kənˈɡruː.ə.ti ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

sense of being inappropriate or out of place

Incongruity is the state of being incongruous or lacking harmony. It refers to something that is inappropriate, out of place, or not in agreement with its surroundings. This lack of congruity can create a sense of discord or dissonance.

Synonyms

discordance, discrepancy, dissonance, inappropriateness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
incongruity

Use when something is out of place or inconsistent with its surroundings.

  • The modern sculpture created an incongruity in the ancient garden.
  • Her cheerful mood was an incongruity at the somber event.
inappropriateness

Use when something is not suitable or proper for a particular situation, often with a negative connotation.

  • His casual attire was an inappropriateness at the formal event.
  • The inappropriateness of her remarks made everyone uncomfortable.
discrepancy

Use to highlight a difference or inconsistency, especially in data or facts.

  • The accountant noticed a discrepancy in the financial report.
  • There is a discrepancy between the two eyewitness accounts.
dissonance

Use for a lack of harmony, particularly in sounds or ideas. It can have a negative connotation, suggesting something unpleasant.

  • The dissonance in the choir's singing was hard to ignore.
  • His radical ideas caused a lot of dissonance within the community.
discordance

Use when there is a lack of agreement or harmony, often in relationships or musical tones.

  • There was a clear discordance in their opinions on the project.
  • The discordance between the instruments was evident during the performance.

Examples of usage

  • The incongruity of his casual attire at the formal event was quite noticeable.
  • The incongruity of her sarcastic remarks during the somber meeting raised a few eyebrows.
  • The incongruity between his words and actions made it difficult to trust him.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'incongruus,' meaning 'not in harmony or agreement.'
  • Initially used in the 17th century, it has evolved to describe things that clash or contradict.
  • Its usage in modern language includes both literal and figurative contexts.

Psychology

  • Incongruity effects play a significant role in humor; jokes often rely on the unexpected clash between setups and punchlines.
  • Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that people seek consistency in their beliefs and when they encounter incongruity, it can lead to discomfort or laughter.
  • Creative thought often arises from recognizing incongruities and exploring new connections between seemingly unrelated concepts.

Literature

  • Many poets and authors use incongruity to create surprise, such as contrasting images that evoke strong emotional responses.
  • In classic literature, characters or situations may illustrate incongruity to highlight societal flaws or to provoke critical thinking.
  • The absurdist movement often embraces incongruity as a central theme, emphasizing the irrational nature of life.

Art

  • Incongruity is frequently employed in visual art, where mismatched styles or elements create striking juxtapositions.
  • Surrealist artists like Salvador Dalí used incongruity to challenge viewers' perceptions of reality through bizarre and dream-like images.
  • In contemporary art, artists often deliberately clash different media or styles to evoke thought and discussion.

Pop Culture

  • Television shows, like 'The Office,' use incongruity in characters' behaviors to create comedic and relatable moments.
  • Memes thrive on incongruity, pairing contrasting images with humorous text to create laughs.
  • Fashion often embraces incongruity, with styles that blend unusual combinations to make bold statements.

Translations

Translations of the word "incongruity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incongruência

🇮🇳 असंगति

🇩🇪 Unstimmigkeit

🇮🇩 ketidaksesuaian

🇺🇦 невідповідність

🇵🇱 niezgodność

🇯🇵 不一致

🇫🇷 incongruité

🇪🇸 incongruencia

🇹🇷 uyumsuzluk

🇰🇷 불일치

🇸🇦 تناقض

🇨🇿 nesoulad

🇸🇰 nezrovnalosť

🇨🇳 不协调

🇸🇮 neskladnost

🇮🇸 ósamræmi

🇰🇿 үйлеспеушілік

🇬🇪 შეუთავსებლობა

🇦🇿 uyğunsuzluq

🇲🇽 incongruencia

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,693, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.