Incommensurable
adjective
Not able to be measured or compared using a common standard.
The suffering caused by the war is incommensurable
Often appears as...
- incommensurable quantities
- incommensurable pain
Usage tips
Formal
adjective
Relating to a mathematical concept where two quantities cannot be measured by a common integer.
The lengths of the diagonal and the side of a square are incommensurable because they have an irrational ratio
Often appears as...
- incommensurable lengths
- incommensurable numbers
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
adjective
Lacking a basis for comparison because of their extreme differences or uniqueness.
The human mind and a computer are incommensurable
Often appears as...
- incommensurable theories
- incommensurable values
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
adjective
Not able to be measured or compared using a common standard.
The suffering caused by the war is incommensurable
Often appears as...
- incommensurable quantities
- incommensurable pain
Usage tips
Formal
adjective
Relating to a mathematical concept where two quantities cannot be measured by a common integer.
The lengths of the diagonal and the side of a square are incommensurable because they have an irrational ratio
Often appears as...
- incommensurable lengths
- incommensurable numbers
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
adjective
Lacking a basis for comparison because of their extreme differences or uniqueness.
The human mind and a computer are incommensurable
Often appears as...
- incommensurable theories
- incommensurable values
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Abstract comparison
Use 'incommensurable' when comparing feelings or experiences that lack a common measure.
The joys of parenting and solo travel are incommensurable.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-quantifiable aspects
'Incommensurable' suits discussions where things can't be quantified, like emotional states.
Her talent and passion for art were incommensurable and defied any ranking system.
Pro Tip 3/3Subjective experience
Expressing personal sentiments or individual experiences can be conveyed with 'incommensurable'.
The beauty he saw in the sunset was incommensurable with any prior sight.
Pro Tip 1/3Abstract comparison
Use 'incommensurable' when comparing feelings or experiences that lack a common measure.
The joys of parenting and solo travel are incommensurable.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-quantifiable aspects
'Incommensurable' suits discussions where things can't be quantified, like emotional states.
Her talent and passion for art were incommensurable and defied any ranking system.
Pro Tip 3/3Subjective experience
Expressing personal sentiments or individual experiences can be conveyed with 'incommensurable'.
The beauty he saw in the sunset was incommensurable with any prior sight.
Pro Tip 1/3Abstract comparison
Use 'incommensurable' when comparing feelings or experiences that lack a common measure.
The joys of parenting and solo travel are incommensurable.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-quantifiable aspects
'Incommensurable' suits discussions where things can't be quantified, like emotional states.
Her talent and passion for art were incommensurable and defied any ranking system.
Pro Tip 3/3Subjective experience
Expressing personal sentiments or individual experiences can be conveyed with 'incommensurable'.
The beauty he saw in the sunset was incommensurable with any prior sight.
Compare with
immeasurableincalculableincomparableincongruousinfinitumintangibleunfathomable
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Video examples
Kelli Swazey: Life that...
are somehow incommensurable with the way that we face our own mortality in the West. So even as we share death as a universal experience, it's not experienced the same way the world over. And as an anthropologist,
Video examples
Kelli Swazey: Life that...
are somehow incommensurable with the way that we face our own mortality in the West. So even as we share death as a universal experience, it's not experienced the same way the world over. And as an anthropologist,
Example 1 of 1
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