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
Tesla is also recalling more than 200,000 Model Y, Model S Model X and Model 3 electric vehicles because of a software issue that renders the rearview camera inoperable for a short period of time.
—
ABC News, 8 May 2026
Farmers across Cuba have watched their equipment become inoperable due to lack of fuel, leading them to be forced to rely on animal and manual labor to make ends meet.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Scans eventually revealed a tumor in her bowel, and although Fyfe underwent surgery, the cancer has since spread and is now considered inoperable, the fundraiser states.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
State Fire Marshal Lauri Volkert offered the example of a building that might have inoperable windows on one side and balconies on the other.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
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ABC News, 8 May 2026
Farmers across Cuba have watched their equipment become inoperable due to lack of fuel, leading them to be forced to rely on animal and manual labor to make ends meet.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Scans eventually revealed a tumor in her bowel, and although Fyfe underwent surgery, the cancer has since spread and is now considered inoperable, the fundraiser states.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
State Fire Marshal Lauri Volkert offered the example of a building that might have inoperable windows on one side and balconies on the other.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 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 16 May. 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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