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
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
Even if your Windows 10 PC is incompatible with the new OS, there still may be a way to upgrade and avoid having to shell out money for a whole new machine.
—
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 June 2025
If the Trump administration hopes to salvage a victory from its trade wars, Washington must use tariffs as leverage in pursuit of clear and achievable trade objectives rather than as a blunt tool wielded in pursuit of myriad and mutually incompatible ones.
—Emily Kilcrease, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2025
There may have been a time when country and hip-hop were incompatible and on polar opposite ends of the music spectrum, but the lines have been blurred in recent years by the likes of Morgan Wallen, Shaboozey and both musicians on the lineup at Camping World Stadium.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025
Many more are disturbed by the politicization of churches and turned off by dogmas that promote hate and discord, finding religious teachings and traditions to be outdated and incompatible with their values.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompatible
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show current usage.
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Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 June 2025
If the Trump administration hopes to salvage a victory from its trade wars, Washington must use tariffs as leverage in pursuit of clear and achievable trade objectives rather than as a blunt tool wielded in pursuit of myriad and mutually incompatible ones.
—Emily Kilcrease, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2025
There may have been a time when country and hip-hop were incompatible and on polar opposite ends of the music spectrum, but the lines have been blurred in recent years by the likes of Morgan Wallen, Shaboozey and both musicians on the lineup at Camping World Stadium.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025
Many more are disturbed by the politicization of churches and turned off by dogmas that promote hate and discord, finding religious teachings and traditions to be outdated and incompatible with their values.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompatible
Cite this Entry
“Incompatible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompatible. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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