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

Prosecutors said the rifle was rendered inoperable before Jalloh left the store, unbeknownst to Jalloh. —Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026

Prosecutors said the rifle was rendered inoperable before Jalloh left the store, unbeknownst to Jalloh. —Jonathan Mattise, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026

The bag handle broke and is inoperable. —Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026

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

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