incompatible

adjective

in·​com·​pat·​i·​ble ˌin-kəm-ˈpa-tə-bəl 

1

: not compatible: such as

a

: incapable of association or harmonious coexistence

incompatible colors

b

: unsuitable for use together because of undesirable chemical or physiological effects

incompatible drugs

c

: not both true

incompatible propositions

d

: incapable of blending into a stable homogeneous mixture

2

: incapable of being held by one person at one time

—used of offices that make conflicting demands on the holder

incompatible noun

incompatibly

ˌin-kəm-ˈpa-tə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• clashing
• conflicting
• disagreeing
• discordant
• discrepant
• incongruous
• inconsistent
• inconsonant
• inharmonious
• mutually exclusive
• repugnant

Examples of incompatible in a Sentence

This printer is incompatible with some PCs.

the committee's incompatible goals—develop new projects and cut costs—meant that they got very little accomplished

Recent Examples on the Web

For too long, kindness and empathy were seen as incompatible with decisive, tough leadership. —Nirit Cohen, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

If past is prelude, Trump’s resulting approach will likely be highly disruptive—especially since some of his goals are mutually incompatible. —Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024

Simply put, building a healthy and secure democracy is incompatible with an endless quest for global dominance. —Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024

Many recent acquisition projects are longer even than the historical norm, and are of course incompatible with the pace of change in contemporary information technologies. —Tom Davenport, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin incompatibilis, from Latin in- + Medieval Latin compatibilis compatible

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing incompatible

• self-incompatible

Kids Definition

incompatible

adjective

in·​com·​pat·​i·​ble ˌin-kəm-ˈpat-ə-bəl 

1

: not able to be brought together in harmony

their personalities were incompatible

incompatible colors

2

a

: not able to be used together

incompatible computer systems

b

: unsuitable for use together because of undesirable chemical or bodily effects

incompatible blood types

incompatibly

-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

incompatible

adjective

in·​com·​pat·​i·​ble ˌin-kəm-ˈpat-ə-bəl 

1

: unsuitable for use together because of chemical interaction or antagonistic physiological effects

incompatible drugs

2

of blood or serum : unsuitable for use in a particular transfusion because of the presence of agglutinins that act against the recipient's red blood cells