Definition of: incongruous

(in·kong′gr·əs) adjective
1. Not congruous.
2. Composed of inharmonious elements.
—in·con′gru·ous·ly adverb
—in·con′gru·ous·ness noun Synonyms: absurd, conflicting, contradictory, contrary, discordant, discrepant, ill-matched, inapposite, inappropriate, incommensurable, incompatible, inconsistent, inharmonious, irreconcilable, mismatched, mismated, repugnant, unsuitable. Two or more things that do not fit well together, or are not adapted to each other, are said to be incongruous; a thing is said to be incongruous that is not adapted to the time, place, or occasion; the term is also applied to a thing made up of ill–assorted parts or inharmonious elements. Discordant is applied to all things that jar like musical notes that are not in accord; inharmonious has the same original sense, but is a milder term. Things are incompatible which cannot exist together in harmonious relations, and whose action when associated tends to ultimate extinction of one by the other. Inconsistent applies to things that cannot be made to agree in thought with each other, or with some standard of truth or right; slavery and freedom are inconsistent with each other in theory, and incompatible in fact. Incongruous applies to relations, unsuitable to purpose or use; two colors are incongruous which cannot be agreeably associated: either may be unsuitable for a person, a room, or an occasion. Incommensurable is a mathematical term, applying to two or more quantities that have no common measure or aliquot part. See CONTRARY. Antonyms: accordant, agreeing, compatible, consistent, harmonious, suitable.