incompatible

adjective

in·​com·​pat·​i·​ble ˌin-kəm-ˈpa-tə-bəl How to pronounce incompatible (audio)
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 adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gender dysphoria is incompatible with the demands of military service. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2025 Clinical trials generate vast amounts of data which could be used to develop other treatments, beyond those directly attached to trial outcomes, but much of it is inaccessible, because it’s stored in incompatible formats and systems. Amy Guttman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Fixed an issue where engraving was visible on incompatible weapons in the Forge. Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025 What’s more, such an increase in complexity seems to imply the appearance of new causal laws in nature that, while not incompatible with the fundamental laws of physics governing the smallest component parts, effectively take over from them in determining what happens next. Quanta Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incompatible

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of incompatible was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incompatible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompatible. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

incompatible

adjective
in·​com·​pat·​i·​ble ˌin-kəm-ˈpat-ə-bəl How to pronounce incompatible (audio)
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 adverb

Medical Definition

incompatible

adjective
in·​com·​pat·​i·​ble ˌin-kəm-ˈpat-ə-bəl How to pronounce incompatible (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on incompatible

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