Incongruous: meaning, definitions and examples

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incongruous

[ɪnˈkɒŋɡruəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in a sentence

Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something; not in place.

Synonyms

discordant, inappropriate, out of place.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incongruous	When something doesn't match the surroundings or situation; lacks harmony with its environment or context. A modern sculpture in a medieval castle seems incongruous His cheerful attitude was incongruous at the funeral
inappropriate	Applicable when something is not suited to the context, often implying a breach of etiquette or social norms. Wearing jeans to a wedding is usually considered inappropriate His joke was inappropriate for the serious occasion
out of place	When something or someone does not belong in a specific setting or situation, feeling awkward or alien. She felt out of place at the fancy gala in her casual clothes The antique vase looked out of place among the modern furniture
discordant	Used to describe something that creates a jarring or unharmonious effect, often in sound but can also be in broader contexts. The discordant notes of the badly tuned guitar disrupted the melody Their political views were so discordant, debates often turned into loud arguments

Examples of usage

The modern architecture looked incongruous in the historic town.
His jokes were incongruous with the serious tone of the meeting.
The bright pink curtains seemed incongruous in the otherwise neutral room.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

in a sentence

Lacking in harmony; incompatible or inconsistent.

Synonyms

incompatible, inconsistent, unfitting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incongruous	This word is used when something does not fit in a particular situation because it is strange or not in harmony with its surroundings. It suggests a sense of something being out of place. The modern furniture looked incongruous in the old castle. His cheerful smile seemed incongruous given the seriousness of the situation.
inconsistent	Describes something that does not stay the same throughout, showing a lack of coherence or regularity. It is often used to highlight changes or deviations over time. Her statements were inconsistent, making her story hard to believe. The weather has been highly inconsistent this year.
incompatible	Used to describe things or people that cannot exist together or be combined because their differences are too significant. It emphasizes a fundamental conflict or mismatch. The software is incompatible with the current operating system. Their personalities were so incompatible that they couldn't remain friends.
unfitting	Used to describe something that is inappropriate or unsuitable for a particular purpose or situation. It usually carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of appropriateness. His comments were unfitting for the solemn occasion. The casual outfit she wore was unfitting for the formal event.

Examples of usage

His actions were incongruous with his words.
The incongruous mixture of styles in the artwork confused the critics.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'incongruous' comes from the Latin word 'incongruens', which means 'not agreeing' or 'not fitting together'.
It has been used in English since the early 19th century, originally used in philosophy and literature.
The prefix 'in-' indicates negation, emphasizing the lack of harmony or compatibility.

Psychology

Incongruity can trigger humor; jokes often rely on surprising or unexpected pairings.
Cognitive dissonance occurs when individuals experience discomfort from holding contradictory beliefs, leading them to seek harmony.
Psychologically, noticing incongruity can enhance learning by encouraging critical thinking and adaptability.

Art and Literature

In literature, authors often use incongruity to highlight characters' flaws or to create comedic effect.
Visual artists might intentionally create incongruous elements in paintings to challenge viewers’ perceptions.
The surrealist movement celebrated incongruity, merging the unusual with the ordinary to provoke thought.

Pop Culture

Many sitcoms feature incongruous scenarios, where characters find themselves in ridiculous or ill-suited situations for comedic effect.
In movies, juxtaposing serious themes with absurd elements creates a compelling narrative tension.
Popular memes often exploit incongruity, combining images and captions that don't logically connect, resulting in humor.

Communication

Using incongruity in speech can make ideas more memorable, as the unexpected draws attention.
Politicians sometimes employ incongruous statements to make serious subjects more relatable and engaging.
Incongruity in body language, such as laughing while discussing something sad, can cause confusion or highlight contradictions.

Translations

Translations of the word "incongruous" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incongruente

🇮🇳 असंगत

🇩🇪 unangemessen

🇮🇩 tidak sesuai

🇺🇦 негармонійний

🇵🇱 niezgodny

🇯🇵 不調和な

🇫🇷 incongru

🇪🇸 incongruente

🇹🇷 uyumsuz

🇰🇷 어울리지 않는

🇸🇦 غير متناسق

🇨🇿 nesourodý

🇸🇰 nesúladný

🇨🇳 不协调的

🇸🇮 neusklajen

🇮🇸 ósamræmanlegur

🇰🇿 үйлесімсіз

🇬🇪 შეუთავსებელი

🇦🇿 uyğunsuz

🇲🇽 incongruente

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,758, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
16755 sarcastic
16756 herbal
16757 irreconcilable
16758 incongruous
16759 tiresome
16760 fluctuate
16761 ductile
...