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

For Griffin, even as community support and public awareness have grown, the health risks and business challenges are getting worse as time goes on and the air conditioning remains inoperable. — Seamus Bozeman follow, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

But Trump’s Energy Department has gone further, ordering several plants to stay open beyond their retirement date — even ones that are broken and inoperable. — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

There’s also a physical threshold above which runways themselves become inoperable. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 30 June 2026

The lawsuit points to a May 6 mayoral debate where Bass was asked about cuts to the LAFD's operational budget, which left fire engines inoperable. — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 24 June 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