1
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order
we have several inoperable cars on the property
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in useless
not capable of being put to use or account
a delightfully creative but inoperable plan for building a theme park in the area
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inoperable
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
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
See All Example Sentences for 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
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
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperable
Adjective
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Often, the easiest solution to fix a malfunctioning attack is to change the striker.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
There's also the scenario where the user experience just isn't great, whether that's subpar customer service or a malfunctioning app.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Bernadine appeared to be useless—or, worse, a potential double agent.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Sending your resume into the void has never felt more useless.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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There are even pillows up to 83% off, like Bedsure’s down-alternative design for back and side sleepers, plus four-piece moistur-wicking bamboo bedding sets under $100.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Apr. 2026
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Some of our stocks bucking Thursday’s down market include Corning , Linde and Costco .—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But the brief, costly, impractical service still became one of the most romanticized episodes in American history—a legacy wildly disproportionate to its lifespan.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
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The creator notes the concept suits cabins, RVs, and off-grid structures particularly well — anywhere grid ties are impractical or expensive.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The antiskid system was inoperative, and all four main tires on the landing gear blew.—
Jeff Suess,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Every home has that one drawer where unknown or inoperative chargers end up, becoming a tangled mess.—
Kaylei Fear,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Access to software updates or features can be expensive, limited, or revoked, leaving devices that are still in perfect physical condition unusable or not worth the subscription cost.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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The stove was missing burners and appeared to be unusable.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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One of the vendors whose contract with Cal OES is ending said that the agency has still not provided evidence that the existing regional Next Generation 911 system is unsafe or nonfunctional.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
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There wasn’t much else to do considering the Wi-Fi, now free for all Rapid Rewards members, was nonfunctional.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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He was accused of creating spectacle and of designing spaces unsuitable for art.—
Norman Foster,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
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Goan cobras are migrating to new and unsuitable habitats by train.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperable. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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