incompatible

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

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

—

incompatible

noun

—

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

His behavior in training was disruptive of the workplace, incompatible with public service and not protected speech.

— robert king, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana white nationalist called 'the next David Duke' isn't stopping with Charlottesville," 27 Aug. 2017
Richard Rosenzweig said that city staff had found the density incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood.

— elizabeth roberts, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Ethics commission closes Battle investigation," 16 Aug. 2017
The demands of big-time football are in conflict with the pursuit of a rigorous education and are, arguably, incompatible.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "UCLA quarterback speaks truth to student-athlete myth | Tim Sullivan," 10 Aug. 2017
But if miners stood their ground, the Bitcoin network could have been split into two mutually incompatible networks.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "A new deal could end Bitcoin’s long-running civil war," 25 July 2017
The financial crisis is hardly the only issue for which conservative principles turn out to be incompatible with the practical demands of governance.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Trumpcare Collapsed Because the Republican Party Cannot Govern," 18 July 2017
That proximity sparked an interest in the famed poet’s work, a curiosity quickly extinguished by the incompatible combination of its complexity and my obtuseness.

— frank fitzpatrick, Philly.com, "Summer nights and basketball in Drexel Hill | Frank's Place," 14 July 2017
None of them were publicized before now, but even his statements from this week alone are incompatible with that belief.

— matthew vines, Time, "A Beloved Former Pastor Retracted His Support of Same-Sex Marriage. It Will Harm LGBTQ People More Than He May Know," 14 July 2017
The former sorts of idealism and nationalism are plainly preferable, and compatible with one another; the latter are inferior and incompatible — and unfortunately, lately we’ve been getting too much of them.

— nicholas m. gallagher, National Review, "America Needs to Reconcile Its Id and Superego," 11 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

incompatible Synonyms

Near Antonyms

akin, like, similar

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