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
Around then, his father sold an inoperable Dodge Dart.
—
Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
To make things harder for the Packers, the heaters on their sideline have been inoperable for much of the game, according to Fox Sports.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The heaters, as well as the offensive line’s heated bench, were inoperable for the visiting Packers, while the ones for the Bears were, Fox’s Erin Andrews reported during the second quarter.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
According to the complaint, two large and dangerous dogs from another neighborhood entered the community through the front gate, which was open and inoperable.
—Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
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Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
To make things harder for the Packers, the heaters on their sideline have been inoperable for much of the game, according to Fox Sports.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The heaters, as well as the offensive line’s heated bench, were inoperable for the visiting Packers, while the ones for the Bears were, Fox’s Erin Andrews reported during the second quarter.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
According to the complaint, two large and dangerous dogs from another neighborhood entered the community through the front gate, which was open and inoperable.
—Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 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 13 Jan. 2026.
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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