incongruously
gb/ɪŋkˈɔŋɹuəsli/ us/ɪŋkˈɔŋɹuəsli/
C1
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in a way that doesn’t fit
In a way that looks or feels wrong for the situation.
Schéma d’usage :
incongruously + [adjective/verb phrase]
Erreur fréquente :
Often used for a mismatch in context; for simple contrast, learners may prefer "oddly" or "strangely."
Synonymes
oddly (More general and less formal.)
|
strangely (Emphasizes unexpectedness, not necessarily mismatch.)
|
out of place (Directly highlights not fitting the context.)
Antonymes
appropriately (In a way that fits the situation.)
|
congruously (In a matching, consistent way.)
Collocations
incongruously dressed
|incongruously large
|incongruously small
|incongruously bright
|incongruously cheerful
|incongruously placed
|incongruously modern
|incongruously named
|incongruously positioned
|incongruously set
Thèmes
language
|writing
|arts_and_culture
Exemples
- A neon sign glowed incongruously above the quiet village square.
- He laughed incongruously during the serious briefing.
- The modern sofa sat incongruously among the antique furniture.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She was incongruously cheerful at the funeral.
- The bright colors looked incongruously loud in the office.
adverb
formal
C2
property
2
in a way that is inconsistent
In a way that does not agree with what else is true or expected.
Schéma d’usage :
incongruously + [verb/adverbial phrase]
Erreur fréquente :
This sense overlaps with "inconsistently"; "incongruously" often suggests a noticeable mismatch rather than repeated changes over time.
Synonymes
inconsistently (Focuses on lack of consistency, often across time or statements.)
|
illogically (Highlights faulty reasoning more than mismatch.)
Antonymes
consistently (In agreement with other facts or statements.)
|
coherently (Logically connected and easy to follow.)
Collocations
incongruously suggests
|incongruously implies
|incongruously claims
|incongruously argues
|incongruously combines
|incongruously contrasts
|incongruously with the evidence
|incongruously with earlier remarks
Thèmes
communication
|reasoning
Exemples
- The report incongruously claims the policy succeeded while presenting only negative results.
- His apology was incongruously followed by a joke about the incident.
- She spoke of fairness yet incongruously defended the obvious double standard.
Exemples pédagogiques
- His words did not match his actions; he acted incongruously.
- The numbers incongruously support the opposite conclusion.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
incongruously
API
GB/ɪŋkˈɔŋɹuəsli/
US/ɪŋkˈɔŋɹuəsli/
Syllabes et accentuation
in - con - gru - ously (4 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (con)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: incongruously
- Plural: incongruouslies
Famille de mots
Forms
incongruouslies
noun
Core family
incongruous
adjective C1
incongruity
noun C1
Related words
incongruent
adjective
incongruence
noun
Advanced or less common
congruent
adjective
congruence
noun
congruous
adjective
Expressions
incongruously enough
1/ɪŋkˈɔŋɹuəsli ɪnˈʌf/
fixed phrase
formal
oddly, in a mismatched way
Used to say that something is strangely out of place or unexpected.
Exemples
- Incongruously enough, the toughest critic was the only one who applauded.
- Incongruously enough, the meeting ended with a party atmosphere.
- Incongruously enough, he felt calmer after hearing the worst news.