Definition

In a way that does not match or is not in harmony with something else.

Example

The colors in the painting were used incongruently, making it hard to focus on the main subject.

Conversation

Did you notice how the colors in that painting clash so incongruently?

Yeah, it’s like they don’t belong together at all.

Exactly! It makes the whole piece feel really chaotic.

I guess that's what the artist was going for, though.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Incongruently → It is formed from "in-" (meaning not) and "congruere" (meaning to agree or fit together) and the suffix "-ly" (meaning in a manner). The word describes something that does not fit together or is not in agreement in a particular manner.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' fitting together ('in-') and 'agreeing' ('congruere') — that's why incongruently means something that does not fit or agree in a certain way.

Visually Confused Words