incompatible

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

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of incompatible

1 : incapable of being held by one person at one time —used of offices that make conflicting demands on the holder

2 : 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

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incompatible

noun

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incompatibly

play \ˌin-kəm-ˈpa-tə-blē\ adverb

See incompatible defined for English-language learners

See incompatible defined for kids

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 of incompatible from the Web

Additionally, the immigration courts must be taken out of the Department of Justice, as the mission of an independent and neutral court is incompatible with the role of a law enforcement agency.

— dana leigh marks, Fortune, "Commentary: I’m an Immigration Judge. Case Completion Quotas Are a Really Bad Idea.," 9 Apr. 2018
In fact, there isn’t even much basis for believing that running competitive campaigns in pro-Trump districts and championing far-left economic policies are incompatible objectives.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "The Radical Proposal That Moderate Democrats Should Be Running On," 22 Mar. 2018
Chung went further, saying the proportion of the development was incompatible with nearby historic structures.

— elliot njus, OregonLive.com, "Portland official weighs in on affordable housing proposal across the street from her home," 30 Mar. 2018
Terror and humor are not incompatible; fear often explodes in laughter.

— sophie pinkham, The New Republic, "The Provocative Brilliance of The Death of Stalin," 29 Mar. 2018
The prevailing schools in psychology and psychiatry—behaviorism and psychoanalysis—adopted models of the mind that were incompatible with the concept.

— naomi fry, The New Yorker, "How a Young Woman Lost Her Identity," 26 Mar. 2018
Many residents opposed the Royal Farms concept, saying a gas station and convenience store would be incompatible with the site.

— pamela wood, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore County, Caves Valley reach $6.9M deal for Towson site after opponents killed gas station plan," 23 Mar. 2018
The problem is that these two theories are incompatible.

— michio kaku, Fortune, "Michio Kaku: The Quest That Hawking Pioneered," 19 Mar. 2018
Many citizens fear that Islam and liberal democracy are incompatible.

— william a. galston, WSJ, "Populism’s Challenge to Democracy," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incompatible.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of incompatible

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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incompatible Synonyms

Phrases

at odds, at variance;

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

INCOMPATIBLE Defined for English Language Learners

incompatible

adjective

Definition of incompatible for English Language Learners

: not able to exist together without trouble or conflict : not going together well
: not able to be used together

INCOMPATIBLE Defined for Kids

incompatible

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

Definition of incompatible for Students

1 : not able to exist together without trouble or conflict

incompatible workers

incompatible plans

2 : not able to be used together

This video game is incompatible with that system.

Medical Dictionary

incompatible

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

medical Definition of incompatible

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