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.
The Atlantic Festival a report called out the government’s lax RTO full time incompatible with managing a team. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2024 Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the front-court duo that's often been criticized in the media for being incompatible, has seemingly figured it out, with both having strong impacts on both sides of the court. Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 That means rats understand something ants do not, which is that normal motion is incompatible with being dead. Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 Murphy, in one notable section, laments, Tourism is intrinsically incompatible with travelling. Tyler Thier, JSTOR Daily, 21 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near incompatible

Cite this Entry

“Incompatible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompatible. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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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