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
Finally, after Mason let fans know there was an electrical circuit issue and the video board would be inoperable for the remainder of the game, the crowd broke out in a collective cheer as the buzzer finally turned off and basketball could resume.
—
Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Park, whose district stretches from Los Angeles International Airport to Pacific Palisades, said inoperable RVs frequently pose a threat to public safety — attracting crime or resulting in the disposal of waste into storm drains and waterways.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
The device will be available to patients with inoperable advanced pancreatic cancer as the technology continues to be tested for other cancer types.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
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Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Park, whose district stretches from Los Angeles International Airport to Pacific Palisades, said inoperable RVs frequently pose a threat to public safety — attracting crime or resulting in the disposal of waste into storm drains and waterways.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
The device will be available to patients with inoperable advanced pancreatic cancer as the technology continues to be tested for other cancer types.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperable. Accessed 14 Mar. 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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