incompatible

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

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: incompatible in a Sentence

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

Inadequate reform and incompatible visions of the euro’s future are a poisonous and unsustainable combination.

— The Economist, "Italy needs to be handled with care," 31 May 2018
Yet different groups’ claims are mutually incompatible.

— amy erica smith, Vox, "Religious conflict in Jerusalem may not have political solutions," 18 May 2018
Even for a writer who has combined parenthood with creative success, the notion lingers that there is something deeply incompatible about the two roles.

— adam kirsch, The Atlantic, "The Art of Parenthood," 13 May 2018
At the time, Dutch cartoons insulting the Prophet Mohammed had sparked protests across the Middle East; Islam and comics were seen as incompatible.

— daniel burke, CNN, "Hear from some of America's most influential Muslims," 4 May 2018
Others do, but the info is spread out across agencies, file formats, and incompatible maps.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "Uber Makes Peace With Cities by Spilling Its Secrets," 16 Apr. 2018
Trump’s goal for North Korea -- nuclear disarmament -- risks proving as incompatible.

— marc champion, Bloomberg.com, "What Trump Can Learn From the Cold War," 25 Mar. 2018
But the chore of reconciling those databases—terabytes of information, often in incompatible formats—can clog the gears.

— matthew heimer, Fortune, "How Software Maker Tableau Helps Doctors Tame Data," 19 Mar. 2018
Lawmakers of both parties have criticized Franchot’s advocacy for the brewers as incompatible with his role as regulator.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "In slap at Franchot, Maryland House passes bill to examine role of comptroller in regulation of alcohol," 19 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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