INOPERABLE Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

inoperable

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl

Definition of inoperable

as in malfunctioning

not being in working order we have several inoperable cars on the property

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of inoperable Two of the spacecraft's three reaction wheels were found to be inoperable, while its cold-gas thruster system also experienced some loss of functionality. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Once authorities seized them, the Justice Department says QScan and QTRouter became inoperable. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The Kia Sportage was stuck on the lip of one end of the bridge, causing the span to become inoperable, the sheriff’s office said. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Worse yet, doctors told her that the tumor was inoperable and had spread to multiple parts of her brain. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inoperable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperable

Adjective

Homeowners reported a swift meeting at which officers discussed a reorganization of their specific duties and the hiring of an elevator expert to fix the chronically malfunctioning, overloaded elevators.

— Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Watching the first episode of Ultimate Girl’s Trip is like riding in a malfunctioning time machine.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of malfunctioning

Adjective

Consequently, even if a down cycle occurs, it is not expected to show the same sharp decline seen in the past.

— Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Among the 138 teams in FBS, TCU’s offense ranks 93rd in third down conversions, 110th in rushing, and tied for 103rd in first downs.

— Mac Engel October 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of down

Adjective

Their potential applications include modeling advanced materials and chemical reactions, optimizing complex logistics networks and addressing some computational problems that are impractical for today’s systems.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Spreadsheets cannot teach these dynamics, and real-world training may be dangerous, impractical or impossible.

— Richard Clough, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of impractical

Adjective

If the main engines were to become inoperative, six smaller orbit-control thrusters can still be activated on the lunar surface, providing an alternative pathway for a rapid ascent.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
And there’s been plenty of media focus since then — including on inoperative toilets.

— Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of inoperative

Adjective

At Lincoln Bay, Duke said their elevators sensed water and immediately went to the 10th floor, where they were locked in place and unusable until contractors cleared out the pit below.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Founded in 2022, The Alloy Market makes money by either refining unusable materials and taking a cut, or by listing usable items on their online resale marketplace.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of unusable

Adjective

Subsense showed off a nonfunctional mock-up of a cap that looked like a cross between a baseball cap and a bike helmet.

— Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Days said the focus of the project is not changing the machine's appearance or replacing a piece of Pittsburgh history, but repairing the internal components that have long been nonfunctional.

— Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of nonfunctional

Adjective

In a setting designed to make exceptional yachts desirable, explaining why a particular vessel is unsuitable requires commercial discipline.

— Christoph Lymbersky, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
And the religious character of this language is by no means unsuitable to this project of science that was bathed in biblical metaphors from the get-go—Code name Trinity, to cite just one example.

— Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Browse Nearby Words

in one's cups

inoperable

inoperative

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“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperable. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of inoperable

adjective

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