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
Synonyms
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
President Dwight Eisenhower seems to have been the last guy in the post-WWII era who understood that the welfare state, the warfare state, and tax cuts not backed by tough spending cuts are incompatible with fiscally responsible government, or at least with reasonably-sized government.
—
Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Fortune, 24 June 2024
Cox's fetus was diagnosed with trisomy 18, a condition described as incompatible with life.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 24 June 2024
Far-right posters now simultaneously want two incompatible things: to be anonymous and not.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 10 June 2024
Coffin, born in North Carolina in 1798, was convinced at an early age that slaveholding was incompatible with his faith.
—Jared McCallister, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incompatible 
Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Fortune, 24 June 2024
Cox's fetus was diagnosed with trisomy 18, a condition described as incompatible with life.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 24 June 2024
Far-right posters now simultaneously want two incompatible things: to be anonymous and not.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 10 June 2024
Coffin, born in North Carolina in 1798, was convinced at an early age that slaveholding was incompatible with his faith.
—Jared McCallister, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incompatible
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incompatible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near incompatible
Cite this Entry
“Incompatible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompatible. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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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