1
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
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inoperable
Raw chicken inside an inoperable display case was observed out of above proper holding temperature.
—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
february 13, Sacbee.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Without electricity and internet service, alarms and security systems were inoperable, and musicians like Russell DuFresne, who is also shop manager at Nashville Amplifier Service, had instruments stolen.
—Margaret Littman, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
When seized by Detroit police, the van was inoperable.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 28 Jan. 2026
During the course of deliberately ramming the cop car, the teen’s vehicle was rendered inoperable.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
february 13, Sacbee.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Without electricity and internet service, alarms and security systems were inoperable, and musicians like Russell DuFresne, who is also shop manager at Nashville Amplifier Service, had instruments stolen.
—Margaret Littman, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
When seized by Detroit police, the van was inoperable.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 28 Jan. 2026
During the course of deliberately ramming the cop car, the teen’s vehicle was rendered inoperable.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperable
Adjective
-
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
-
Generative AI in medicine is neither universally embraced as perfect nor completely dismissed as useless.—
Robert Pearl,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
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Computer nerds who’ve never left their basements and mama’s cooking are trying, and have taken over the sport with useless numbers, or analytics.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Finally, prioritizing recovery by keeping your fueling in check, getting plenty of sleep, and taking rest days and down weeks is key for runners looking to avoid injury, says Takacs.—
Emma Loewe,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
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The success of the farm system, much like the major league roster, will be predicated on how a number of position player prospects respond to down seasons.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Bodycon styles can feel restrictive and a little impractical for long sightseeing days, while a relaxed maxi keeps you comfortable and polished from morning to night.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
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After learning how the family lives, the designer rejiggered the floor plan—moving a staircase, lowering a ceiling, and transforming an impractical formal dining room into a dreamy mudroom entry with custom cabinetry inlaid with bucolic Farrow & Ball wallpaper depicting scenes of farm life.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Architectural Digest,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The agency has also probed 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles after reports of exterior door handles becoming inoperative due to low battery voltage, leading to instances of children stuck inside.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For example, Roberts notes that if your kitchen is unusable but the rest of the house is still considered livable, your insurer might provide a temporary solution like a two-burner stove, rather than pay for a full hotel stay.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
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If the sales go through and drilling eventually commences, large portions of the trail could, in theory, become unusable, forcing a reroute to keep it viable as a recreation setting.—
Alex Heard,
Outside,
4 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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Environmental chemist Cassandra Rauert noted that this technique is currently unsuitable for identifying polyethylene or PVC in human tissue because molecules from human fat can mimic the signal of these plastics.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
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This is a significant issue for a project intended for deep-space mission launches, microgravity research, and space manufacturing – only for it to be found unsuitable for any of those goals, largely due to the presence of the astronauts themselves.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperable. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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