congruence

noun

con·​gru·​ence kən-ˈgrü-ən(t)s  ˈkäŋ-grü-ən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of agreeing, coinciding, or being congruent

… the happy congruence of nature and reason …

—Gertrude Himmelfarb

2

: a statement that two numbers or geometric figures are congruent

Synonyms

• accord
• accordance
• agreement
• conformance
• conformity
• congruency
• congruity
• consonance
• harmony
• tune

Examples of congruence in a Sentence

little apparent congruence between her professed concern for the poor and her own extravagant lifestyle

Recent Examples on the Web

Driven by a congruence of interests between the military, civilian leaders including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and a faction of the Buddhist clergy, persecution of the Rohingya has escalated over the past two years. —Jonah Blank, Foreign Affairs, 4 Jan. 2018

Candidates who successfully tap into the zeitgeist and create a sense of cultural congruence with their target voters may find themselves with a significant advantage. —Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

Top of the list are: competence (our trust in the person’s abilities), integrity (our belief in that person’s congruence), confidence (the person’s display of strength and decisiveness), and empathy. —Shane Snow, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

The congruence between health and economic goals is also the biggest development in the fight against climate change. —Michael Bloomberg, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2015

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

congruence

noun

con·​gru·​ence kən-ˈgrü-ən(t)s  ˈkäŋ-grə-wən(t)s 

: the quality or state of having the same size and shape