incongruous

/in'kɔɳgruəs/

Thân thiện

The modern art sculpture looked incongruous in the quiet, traditional garden.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking harmony or agreement: Describes something that is out of place, inconsistent, or does not fit with its surroundings or context.
   • Not compatible or appropriate: Refers to elements that are mismatched or unsuitable when considered together.

Usage

The adjective "incongruous" is used to describe a person, thing, or idea that seems strange, wrong, or unsuitable because it is different from everything or everyone around it. It highlights a noticeable and often jarring lack of harmony.

Examples

• General Use:
  • The modern glass sculpture looked incongruous in the historic castle.
  • His cheerful demeanor was incongruous with the somber news he delivered.
• With Preposition 'with':
  • Such lavish spending is incongruous with the company's stated values of austerity.
  • The casual remark felt incongruous with the formal tone of the meeting.

Advanced Usage

• Incongruously (Adverb): In a manner that is out of place or not in harmony.
  • He was dressed formally but spoke incongruously in slang.
• Incongruousness / Incongruity (Noun): The state or quality of being incongruous.
  • The incongruity of the situation made everyone uncomfortable.
  • She was struck by the incongruousness of finding a toy in the office boardroom.

Variants and Related Words

• Incongruity (n): The quality or state of being incongruous.
• Incongruously (adv): As described above.
• Incongruousness (n): A less common synonym for "incongruity."

Synonyms

• Inconsistent: Not staying the same throughout.
• Incompatible: Incapable of existing together in harmony.
• Discordant: Disagreeing or incongruous.
• Unbecoming: Not fitting or appropriate.
• Jarring: Incongruous in a striking or shocking way.

Antonyms

• Congruous: In agreement or harmony.
• Appropriate: Suitable or proper in the circumstances.
• Consistent: Acting or done in the same way over time.
• Harmonious: Forming a pleasing or consistent whole.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Strike an incongruous note: To seem noticeably out of place.
  • The comedian's serious political rant struck an incongruous note at the lighthearted awards show.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
   • a plan incongruous with reason
   • incongruous behavior
   • a joke that was incongruous with polite conversation