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
Synonyms
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
In August, Ballerini shared news that Dibs was diagnosed with an inoperable cancer.
—
Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024
The green pump jack stood inoperable on a recent visit to the farm, rust eating through the metal.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 6 Aug. 2024
In June 2022, the FDA granted accelerated approval for the use of dabrafenib-trametinib combination therapy against nearly any metastatic or inoperable solid tumors driven by BRAF V600 mutation.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Aug. 2024
If your child has a PN that is considered inoperable (not able to be treated surgically), they might be prescribed a medication called Koselugo (selumetinib) to help prevent the tumor from growing and causing symptoms.
—Daniel Combs, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for inoperable 
Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024
The green pump jack stood inoperable on a recent visit to the farm, rust eating through the metal.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 6 Aug. 2024
In June 2022, the FDA granted accelerated approval for the use of dabrafenib-trametinib combination therapy against nearly any metastatic or inoperable solid tumors driven by BRAF V600 mutation.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Aug. 2024
If your child has a PN that is considered inoperable (not able to be treated surgically), they might be prescribed a medication called Koselugo (selumetinib) to help prevent the tumor from growing and causing symptoms.
—Daniel Combs, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for inoperable
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inoperable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inoperable
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperable. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.
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
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