1
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
be careful when putting your hands in even an inoperative garbage disposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order
looking for an expert to fix the inoperative grandfather clock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in invalid
having no legal or binding force
the decision of the state's supreme court has rendered the law inoperative
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inoperative
The agency has also probed 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles after reports of exterior door handles becoming inoperative due to low battery voltage, leading to instances of children stuck inside.
—
Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
The Info menu indicates the right rear sensor is inoperative.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
Of those who reported incidents, none saw a low voltage battery warning before the exterior door handles became inoperative.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
But the speed came from all three levels of Green Bay’s defense, rendering Washington’s offense almost inoperative.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
The Info menu indicates the right rear sensor is inoperative.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
Of those who reported incidents, none saw a low voltage battery warning before the exterior door handles became inoperative.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
But the speed came from all three levels of Green Bay’s defense, rendering Washington’s offense almost inoperative.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
-
Prosecutors in Sacramento alleged that Williamson and at least two others conspired to funnel funds from former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra's dormant campaign account.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Williamson admitted to diverting $225,000 from a dormant Beccera campaign account to Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s longtime chief of staff.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into the owner of a malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove that has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as fire crews race to avoid an explosion.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
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Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem -- a malfunctioning space toilet.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Many argue that signatures are invalid because signers listed incorrect addresses or live outside of the district the candidate wants to represent.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
-
Some associations would deny the requests over invalid online registrations, and some residents would accuse their community of overzealous rule enforcement.—
Shari Wald Garrett,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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On off days in the villa, the boys and girls would alternate every other week to split the responsibility.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
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All six runs in the game came off homers, with Texas' Joc Pederson delivering a two-run shot in the third off rookie Mike Paredes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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The resulting flooding rendered the antenna inoperable.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2026
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In Park City, Utah, Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe in an exclusive interview on The Drivecast said with the launch of the mass-market R2 the team has worked service times down to hours for critical items, like if a car is inoperable, and to a couple of days for non-critical items.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes or website, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
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There are several marketing terms–like ‘natural’ or ‘fresh’–on product packaging that are essentially void of any significant meaning, and consumers are becoming more knowledgeable, thus skeptical, about these terms.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Detroit fire crews extinguished the fire at the vacant home, and no injuries were reported.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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Like so many other places in regional Britain, its mines and mills have been replaced by retail and service industry jobs; its local stores now vape shops or vacant altogether.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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That down year is not necessarily an indication of Jefferson as a talent.—
Steve Bradshaw,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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The down alternative also keeps you supportive and cool all night long.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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