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
Their personalities were incompatible.
The policy is incompatible with my beliefs.
b
: unsuitable for use together
This printer is incompatible with some PCs.
specifically
: 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
These goals are not incompatible, of course, and all involve degrading Iran’s ability to project force beyond its borders.
—
Marie-Rose Sheinerman, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Ayatollah Sayyed Abdullah Behbahani and Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammad Tabatabai used Islamic arguments to claim that even kings must be bound by law, and that tyranny was incompatible with religion.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Modern data tools allow states to identify duplicate claims, incompatible eligibility overlaps, or anomalous billing patterns before losses grow.
—Timothy M. Herbst, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
That relic came under scrutiny in 2007 after dental experts pointed out that the 3-inch tooth’s characteristics were incompatible with the dimensions of a human tooth and most likely belonged to a cow or a buffalo.
—Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompatible
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Marie-Rose Sheinerman, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Ayatollah Sayyed Abdullah Behbahani and Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammad Tabatabai used Islamic arguments to claim that even kings must be bound by law, and that tyranny was incompatible with religion.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Modern data tools allow states to identify duplicate claims, incompatible eligibility overlaps, or anomalous billing patterns before losses grow.
—Timothy M. Herbst, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
That relic came under scrutiny in 2007 after dental experts pointed out that the 3-inch tooth’s characteristics were incompatible with the dimensions of a human tooth and most likely belonged to a cow or a buffalo.
—Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompatible
Cite this Entry
“Incompatible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompatible. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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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