mutually exclusive

[ myoo-choo-uh-lee ik-skloo-siv, -ziv ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a situation involving two or more events, possibilities, etc., in which the occurrence of one precludes the occurrence of the other:

   mutually exclusive plans of action.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutually exclusive¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

But fun and insight are not always mutually exclusive, certainly not here.

From The Daily Beast

The Eurasian Customs Union and EU trade agreements are by nature mutually exclusive.

From The Daily Beast

Instead of treating the Israeli and Palestinian narratives as mutually exclusive, J Street recognizes their interdependence.

From The Daily Beast

He should talk about maximizing positive outcomes, moving beyond the mutually exclusive language endemic to the region.

From The Daily Beast

If the positions were that mutually exclusive, the conflict would not be that complex.

From The Daily Beast

Now, these are only a few of the long list of your objections which are directly contradictory and mutually exclusive, my friend.

From Project Gutenberg

It is, of course, impossible to reconcile these mutually exclusive abstractions either in theory or in practice.

From Project Gutenberg

Some human activities and the activities and behavioral patterns of humpback whales may be mutually exclusive.

From Project Gutenberg

In discordant metaphysics, being and not being are irreconcilable and mutually exclusive contradictions.

From Project Gutenberg

The mere difference in complexity of mutually exclusive coordinate groups involves no relationship of superiority or inferiority.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Mutually Exclusive

What does mutually exclusive mean?

Describing two things as mutually exclusive means that they can’t both exist, be true, or happen at the same time.

In most cases, the phrase implies that one of the things prevents the other from happening or being true, or that both things prevent each other from happening or being true.

Mutually exclusive is often used in negative constructions about things that are said to be not mutually exclusive—meaning they can both happen or be true at the same time.

Example: Kindness and a good business sense are not mutually exclusive—it’s possible to be financially successful without being a jerk.

Where does mutually exclusive come from?

The first records of the phrase mutually exclusive come from the 1870s. In mutually exclusive, mutually is used in the sense of a reciprocal relationship (one that involves a pair in which each part impacts the other), and exclusive is used to indicate that something is being excluded or precluded from happening or being true.

Mutually exclusive is sometimes used in the context of logic and probability. In logic, it’s used to describe two statements (also called propositions) that are completely incompatible with each other. For example, “It is Monday” and “It is Friday” are mutually exclusive propositions. In probability, mutually exclusive scenarios are those in which one option blocks the other from happening (like rolling a die and getting a certain number, which precludes you from getting any of the other numbers on the die).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to mutually exclusive?

• mutual exclusion (noun)
• mutual exclusivity (noun)
• mutual exclusiveness (noun)
• mutually exclude (verb)

What are some synonyms for mutually exclusive?

• incompatible
• conflicting

What are some words that share a root or word element with mutually exclusive? 

• mutually
• exclusive
• exclude
• exclusionary
• mutual

What are some words that often get used in discussing mutually exclusive?

• trait
• situation
• event
• scenario
• probability
• logic

 

How is mutually exclusive used in real life?

Mutually exclusive can be used in all kinds of contexts, but it’s commonly used in the context of events, plans, and personal traits.

Huh.. either I will be able to eat breakfast or be punctual. Mutually exclusive things.

— Astik Kulkarni (@AstikKulkarni) February 4, 2021

I just want everyone to understand for certain that lived mental illness experience and success as an academic and/or practicing clinical psychologist are NOT mutually exclusive.

— Dr. Jessica Schleider (@JSchleiderPhD) February 8, 2021

Just a reminder that I am a trans ally.

I support the rights of trans & non binary folks to live equal, safe & joyful lives.

Also, we need more accessible toilets AND gender neutral toilets, they don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

All of us need to pee.

— Dr Amy Kavanagh👩🏼‍🦯 🦮 (@BlondeHistorian) March 4, 2020

Try using mutually exclusive!

Which of the following pair of scenarios involves two mutually exclusive things?

A. Owning a cat and owning a turtle
B. Liking chocolate and liking vanilla
C. Being alive and being dead
D. Having brown hair and having freckles