Mismatched: meaning, definitions and examples

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mismatched

 

[ˌmɪsˈmætʃt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

clothing

Not matching or harmonizing

Synonyms

clashing, discordant, incongruous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mismatched

This word is commonly used when two or more objects, people, or ideas do not match or fit well together, often in a physical or visual sense.

  • Her socks were mismatched, one blue and one green
  • The couple seemed mismatched in terms of interests and lifestyle
clashing

Clashing is typically used when colors, sounds, or personalities are in strong disagreement or conflict, often creating a jarring effect.

  • The red and orange decorations were clashing and hurt my eyes
  • Their opinions on politics were always clashing during discussions
incongruous

Incongruous is used when something does not fit in with its surroundings or is out of place, often in a more abstract or conceptual sense.

  • Her cheerful mood was incongruous with the somber atmosphere of the funeral
  • The modern sculpture looked incongruous in the ancient temple
discordant

This word is often used in a musical or auditory context to describe sounds that do not harmonize well together. It can also describe ideas or styles that conflict.

  • The band's performance was discordant and hard to listen to
  • There was a discordant mix of modern and antique furniture in the room

Examples of usage

  • The socks were mismatched, one blue and one red.
  • Her outfit looked mismatched with that combination of colors.
Context #2 | Verb

relationships

To match incorrectly or unsuitably

Synonyms

clash, disagree, misfit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mismatched

This is best used to describe things that do not match or go well together, often referring to colors, clothing, or items that are supposed to be a set.

  • Her socks were mismatched, one was red and the other was blue.
  • The furniture in the room looked mismatched.
misfit

This term describes a person or thing that does not fit well within a particular group or situation. It can have a negative connotation.

  • He felt like a misfit at the new school.
  • The old chair was a misfit in the modern living room.
disagree

This is used when two or more people have different opinions. It can also refer to things that are inconsistent with each other.

  • They disagree on the best way to solve the problem.
  • The findings disagree with the hypothesis.
clash

This is used when two things are in conflict or do not go well together, often in terms of color, ideas, or opinions.

  • The colors of their outfits really clash.
  • Their personalities tend to clash during discussions.

Examples of usage

  • She felt like they were mismatched in terms of their personalities.
  • They realized they were mismatched in their expectations.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from combining 'mis-' meaning 'badly' or 'wrongly' with 'match,' which means to pair or fit things together.
  • The use of 'mismatch' dates back to at least the 16th century, initially referring to incorrectly paired items.
  • Adding 'mis-' to a word usually suggests a mistake or error in the way something is done.

Psychology

  • Cognitive dissonance can occur when people experience mismatched beliefs and actions, leading to mental discomfort.
  • In relationships, mismatched expectations can cause conflict, showing the importance of communication.
  • People often prefer harmony, so spotting mismatches can be a trigger for stress or anxiety.

Pop Culture

  • The concept of mismatched duos is popular in films and TV shows, often resulting in comedic situations, like the classic odd-couple trope.
  • Fashion trends sometimes celebrate mismatched clothing styles, promoting unique self-expression over uniformity.
  • Games like 'Mismatched' challenge players to find pairs, emphasizing the fun in differences.

Literature

  • In storytelling, mismatched characters, such as a hero and a anti-hero, create tension and drive plots.
  • Metaphorical mismatches in poetry often reflect inner conflicts or societal issues, providing depth to themes.
  • Classic tales often explore mismatched love, where characters face obstacles in their relationships.

Science

  • In genetics, mismatched alleles can lead to genetic disorders, emphasizing the importance of genetic compatibility.
  • Mismatch repair is a DNA repair mechanism that corrects errors during DNA replication, crucial for maintaining genetic stability.
  • Ecosystems can become unbalanced if species are mismatched within their environment, affecting biodiversity.

Translations

Translations of the word "mismatched" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desajustado

🇮🇳 बेमेल

🇩🇪 unpassend

🇮🇩 tidak cocok

🇺🇦 неспівпадаючий

🇵🇱 niedopasowany

🇯🇵 不釣り合い

🇫🇷 inadapté

🇪🇸 desajustado

🇹🇷 uyumsuz

🇰🇷 맞지 않는

🇸🇦 غير متطابق

🇨🇿 nepřizpůsobený

🇸🇰 neprispôsobený

🇨🇳 不匹配

🇸🇮 neujemajoč

🇮🇸 ósamræmdur

🇰🇿 сәйкес келмейтін

🇬🇪 შეუთავსებელი

🇦🇿 uyğunsuz

🇲🇽 desajustado

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,837, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.