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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inoperable
But after a storm knocks out power, the vulnerable conditions of these residents surface, as some in wheelchairs and walkers become trapped in elevators that are inoperable, Miles said.
—
Terri Langford, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
But Trump said Israel’s atomic commission found the Iranian nuclear facility at Fordow was destroyed and the enrichment facility rendered inoperable.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Iran’s controversial uranium enrichment program, which uses sensitive centrifuges often installed deep underground in fortified bunkers, is likely to have been rendered inoperable or damaged, if not entirely destroyed.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
The employee restroom hand sink lacked paper towels due to an inoperable dispenser.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Terri Langford, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
But Trump said Israel’s atomic commission found the Iranian nuclear facility at Fordow was destroyed and the enrichment facility rendered inoperable.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Iran’s controversial uranium enrichment program, which uses sensitive centrifuges often installed deep underground in fortified bunkers, is likely to have been rendered inoperable or damaged, if not entirely destroyed.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
The employee restroom hand sink lacked paper towels due to an inoperable dispenser.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperable
Adjective
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The deals typically provide revenue for the host community while enabling the solar industry to cover essentially useless land with solar panels rather than taking out-of-service farmland, open fields or similar space.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
5 Aug. 2025
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Infrastructure is useless without operators who can manage it.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There is a broken down vehicle on I-35 between 119th Street/Exit 220 and I-435/Exit 222.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Aug. 2025
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Over the years, Fox has sustained multiple broken bones, including both arms, his shoulder, his orbital bone and cheek and his hand, which resulted in a serious infection.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Researchers note that due to terrain and cost challenges, large-scale machines are often impractical, prompting research into compact, robotic pruning solutions.—
Jill Barth,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Because reaching 75 local prosecutors around the state on short notice was impractical, Moody opted to hear unopposed arguments from Southern Legacy of Life, formerly known as ARORA (Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency), before issuing the temporary injunction.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Panthers had Graham Gano, one the mightiest kickers in the league but who was recovering from an injury and trying to recoup from a statistical down year.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
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Read more: Bears, Vikings Linked as Possible Trade Partners in Suggested QB Trade Last season with the Dolphins, Hill had a down year.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Bathrooms and kitchens can become unusable, impacting diet and personal hygiene.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
9 Aug. 2025
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But this doesn’t mean budget cookware is patently unusable.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Also inoperative the morning of the crash were the runway alignment indicator lights, which had not worked for more than three years.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2025
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Several election ballot scanners are currently inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Although recoveries occurred, the stock’s drastic declines underscore a volatility profile that is unsuitable for risk-averse investors.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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The woman said robot vacuums are ideal for light maintenance if used frequently, but are unsuitable for vacuuming the entire apartment.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But with no updates coming from app stores, the app will likely become more buggy and eventually nonfunctional for U.S. users.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
16 Jan. 2025
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Mosaic madness Adorn a nonfunctional fireplace with a kaleidoscope of mosaics.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
20 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperable. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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