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

In most cases, the electronic health records used by physicians are incompatible with those used by dentists, so sharing information electronically is impossible. —Lola Butcher, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024

The ruling implicitly rejected Ravensburger’s argument that the law was incompatible with the EU directive on copyright, lawyers said. —Colleen Barry, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024

End of carousel This isn’t necessarily incompatible with the responsibilities of a house and pets. —Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024

On the surface, these two exceedingly different, seemingly incompatible operas have little in common. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024

Wang’s study, however, implicitly suggests that Confucianism and Marxism may not be inherently incompatible. —Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

The fetus had bilateral renal agenesis, a condition incompatible with life because the two kidneys never develop. —Jessica Van Egeren, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024

Fort Worth planning staff had originally suggested rejecting the change, finding the developer’s proposal incompatible with surrounding land uses and the city’s vision for the area. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2024

The exhibition demonstrates, as if proof were needed, that social activism and individual artistic freedom are anything but incompatible. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 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