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mismatched

mismatched

3 3.4
Different from another thing and not well suited to it
  • adjective
  • /ˈmɪsˌmætʃt/
translation icon : desigual
  • The furniture consisted of three mismatched chairs and a small Formica table.
  • mismatched plates
  • mismatched chairs
  • a mismatched pair

And that is really just highlighting mismatched priorities, right?

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Examples

  • I like women who wear mismatched earrings.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Eventually, Martin would withdraw, clumping noisily down the steps in his mismatched shoes.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Even though we're mismatched in a lot of ways, we do match.

  • And so the brain and the environment are mismatched at this time.

  • And that is really just highlighting mismatched priorities, right?

  • A couple of years ago, I decided it was time to replace the mismatched furniture I had accumulated over the years.

    Blog text (9)
  • It was a hodgepodge, a sad collection of mismatched tools.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Another small table beside the bed held a mismatched porcelain pitcher and bowl and a candlestick.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • A handful of people grin at the mismatched couple who stand in the shade: a homely older man in glasses and a pretty woman in a white dress with polka dots.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • They decided to wear mismatched socks for fun, creating a colorful and quirky look.

Synonyms

unsuited
vsmismatched
5 4.3

Not able to go well together

means things do not correspond appropriately in pairing or role
nonmatching
vsmismatched
4.3

Different in color or style when seen together

is a general lack of suitable pairing or correspondence
mismated
vsmismatched
7.5

Having parts or people that do not go well together

describes a general not suitably paired state instead of combining trouble
ill-sorted
vsmismatched
7.1

A group of people or things that do not fit well together

refers broadly to lack of appropriate pairing, not only poor arrangement

Antonyms

172 1.8

Right for a certain purpose, person, or situation

2.6

Going well together because they are similar in style or quality

How Well Matched

matched
2.6
unsuited
5 4.3
mismatched
3 3.4
incompatible
41 6.2

Surface Forms

mismatched positive

Morphology

mismatched = mismatch (transparent) = mis + match + ed

Formed from the verb 'mismatch' with the regular adjectival/past-participle suffix '-ed'; the negating prefix 'mis-' and the base meaning 'match' are semantically productive.

Etymology

Mismatched comes from the prefix mis- meaning 'wrong' or 'not' and the word match meaning 'to pair' or 'fit'. So mismatched describes things that do not pair or fit together correctly, like different socks or furniture that clash.