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
Seven states, including Arkansas, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming, do not offer public data access or have incompatible data formats.
—
Dian Zhang, USA Today, 6 June 2026
These technologies are complementary but have remained incompatible in a small format – at least until now.
—Omar Kardoudi
june 05, New Atlas, 5 June 2026
Two Shakira concerts had been scheduled for within a week of the fixture and underneath the flooring lay an artificial surface, incompatible with FIFA rules.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 5 June 2026
One school of thought holds that high levels of immigration and a robust social safety net are incompatible; natives don’t want to share their nation’s generosity with foreigners.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompatible
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Dian Zhang, USA Today, 6 June 2026
These technologies are complementary but have remained incompatible in a small format – at least until now.
—Omar Kardoudi
june 05, New Atlas, 5 June 2026
Two Shakira concerts had been scheduled for within a week of the fixture and underneath the flooring lay an artificial surface, incompatible with FIFA rules.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 5 June 2026
One school of thought holds that high levels of immigration and a robust social safety net are incompatible; natives don’t want to share their nation’s generosity with foreigners.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 1 June 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 8 Jun. 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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