incompatible

in·com·pat·i·ble

adj \ˌin-kəm-ˈpa-tə-bəl\

Definition of INCOMPATIBLE

1

: incapable of being held by one person at one time —used of offices that make conflicting demands on the holder

2

: not compatible: 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

— incompatible noun

— in·com·pat·i·bly \-blē\ adverb

Examples of INCOMPATIBLE

1. This printer is incompatible with some PCs.
2. <the committee's incompatible goals—develop new projects and cut costs—meant that they got very little accomplished>

Origin of INCOMPATIBLE

Middle English, from Medieval Latin incompatibilis, from Latin in- + Medieval Latin compatibilis compatible

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INCOMPATIBLE

Synonyms: clashing, conflicting, disagreeing, discordant, discrepant, inconsistent, incongruous, inconsonant, inharmonious, mutually exclusive, repugnant

Antonyms: accordant, agreeing, compatible, concordant, conformable (to), congruent, congruous, consistent, consonant, correspondent (with or to), harmonious, nonconflicting

Related Words: irreconcilable; antagonistic, antipodal, antipodean, antithetical, contradictory, contrary, diametric (or diametrical), opposing, opposite

Near Antonyms: akin, like, similar

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with INCOMPATIBLE

self-compatible