inoperable
adjective
in·op·er·a·ble
(ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl 
1
: not treatable or remediable by surgery
an inoperable brain tumor
2
: not functioning : inoperative
Examples of inoperable in a Sentence
a patient with inoperable cancer
The device makes the car inoperable when a key is not used to start it.
Recent Examples on the Web
Additionally, two laboratory machines were inoperable for four days in February due to a lack of reagents, which are substances used to carry out tests, because the hospital had not paid the supplier.
—
Scott Schwebke, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
Though an initial damage analysis expressed skepticism, a consensus emerged that Iran’s enrichment and weaponization infrastructure, including centrifuges and uranium metalworking equipment, was destroyed or rendered inoperable.
—Nabih Bulos
foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
But after a storm knocks out power, the vulnerable conditions of these residents surface, as some in wheelchairs and walkers become trapped in elevators that are inoperable, Miles said.
—Terri Langford, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
But Trump said Israel’s atomic commission found the Iranian nuclear facility at Fordow was destroyed and the enrichment facility rendered inoperable.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Scott Schwebke, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
Though an initial damage analysis expressed skepticism, a consensus emerged that Iran’s enrichment and weaponization infrastructure, including centrifuges and uranium metalworking equipment, was destroyed or rendered inoperable.
—Nabih Bulos
foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
But after a storm knocks out power, the vulnerable conditions of these residents surface, as some in wheelchairs and walkers become trapped in elevators that are inoperable, Miles said.
—Terri Langford, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
But Trump said Israel’s atomic commission found the Iranian nuclear facility at Fordow was destroyed and the enrichment facility rendered inoperable.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperable. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inoperable
adjective
in·op·er·a·ble
(ˈ)in-ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl
1
: not treatable by surgery
an inoperable cancer
2
: not in working order : inoperative
Medical Definition
inoperable
adjective
in·op·er·a·ble
(ˈ)in-ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl
: not treatable or remediable by or suitable for surgery
an advanced and inoperable cancer
a developing cataract still inoperable
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share