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

Mitre describes a type confusion vulnerability, also known as common weakness enumeration 843, as occurring when a resource such as a pointer or object is accessed by a resource using an incompatible type. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

Four candidates filed for both Homer Glen trustee and a school board race, which are considered incompatible offices. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025

However, a long-incubating MTA pilot program to install full-length platform doors at three stations, as seen in many cities around the world, has never come to fruition; transit officials have previously contended the design and construction of most stations is incompatible with such doors. —Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025

Foreign policy must reach for the doable as well as the desirable, and an approach of such ambition would be unrealistic, in part because what would likely be essential to realizing one or two of the goals would be incompatible with accomplishing the third. —Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 6 Jan. 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

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