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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.

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).

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

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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)

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)

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)

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