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

Spying was an appurtenance of monarchy, and therefore incompatible with republican government. —James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025

Their astonishingly broad—and disproportionately distributed—constitutional powers over both state and national elections, combined with the many ways in which state legislatures have abused those powers, are incompatible with any credible definition of democracy. —Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

Has stillness become incompatible with the modern workplace and way of life? —Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

Warning signs such as conflicting visions, poor communication or incompatible goals can all indicate the need for a fresh start. —Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025

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

Rhymes for incompatible

• compatible
• biocompatible
• ratable
• rateable

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