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
The running game is completely inoperable, and a return to Isiah Pacheco as the lead running back is a confusing decision.
—
Sam McDowell December 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Dec. 2025
The ferry, however, is currently docked and inoperable—though the duo hasn't lost their sense of humor about the situation, even joking about it on SNL's Weekend Update.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Dec. 2025
Panhandle Police Chief Sace Hardman, who said their car was also found parked and inoperable, shared that the couple likely died of hypothermia and that there is no foul play suspected in their deaths at this time, according to Everything Lubbock, CBS Austin and NewsNation.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
Storing inoperable or unlicensed vehicles in front, side, or backyards is forbidden, according to the Louisville Jefferson County Department of Codes and Regulations.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Nov. 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.
Sam McDowell December 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Dec. 2025
The ferry, however, is currently docked and inoperable—though the duo hasn't lost their sense of humor about the situation, even joking about it on SNL's Weekend Update.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Dec. 2025
Panhandle Police Chief Sace Hardman, who said their car was also found parked and inoperable, shared that the couple likely died of hypothermia and that there is no foul play suspected in their deaths at this time, according to Everything Lubbock, CBS Austin and NewsNation.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
Storing inoperable or unlicensed vehicles in front, side, or backyards is forbidden, according to the Louisville Jefferson County Department of Codes and Regulations.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Nov. 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 21 Dec. 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