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 of inoperable

• malfunctioning
• down
• inoperative
• nonfunctional
• nonfunctioning
• broken
• out of commission

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

Raw chicken inside an inoperable display case was observed out of above proper holding temperature. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado february 13, Sacbee.com, 13 Feb. 2026

Without electricity and internet service, alarms and security systems were inoperable, and musicians like Russell DuFresne, who is also shop manager at Nashville Amplifier Service, had instruments stolen. —Margaret Littman, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026

Fare gates recently installed at Boston's South Station to combat fare evasion are currently inoperable and covered in plastic. —Samantha Chaney, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026

When seized by Detroit police, the van was inoperable. —Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from French inopérable

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inoperable

• operable
• interoperable

Kids 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

inoperability

(ˌ)in-ˌäp-(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural inoperabilities