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

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

The lawsuit claims Bass falsely blamed Crowley for inoperable fire engines and sending home firefighters, part of a broader effort to shift criticism over the city’s disastrous fire response. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026

The aircraft was headed south when a malfunction caused the left engine to become inoperable, a Kansas Highway Patrol crash report said. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 23 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