1
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order
we have several inoperable cars on the property
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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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Recent Examples of inoperable
For instance, in May 2025, engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, which manages the missions, successfully revived a set of thrusters aboard Voyager 1 that had been considered inoperable since 2004.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Funds are available to help income-eligible households with natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and inoperable heating systems, a county news release said.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
These instances will be limited to unsafe or inoperable vehicles, which cannot be physically driven to the inspection location.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025
Inflation started to take off on the heels of the new framework taking effect and eventually reached a four-decade peak in 2022, rendering the strategy inoperable.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Funds are available to help income-eligible households with natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and inoperable heating systems, a county news release said.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
These instances will be limited to unsafe or inoperable vehicles, which cannot be physically driven to the inspection location.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025
Inflation started to take off on the heels of the new framework taking effect and eventually reached a four-decade peak in 2022, rendering the strategy inoperable.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperable
Adjective
-
Another set piece involving a malfunctioning chair lift is excruciatingly tense.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Adams’ tactics rendered the gag rule toothless and useless, prompting even six southern Congressmen to vote in favor of overturning it.—
Time,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
-
That framing is politically useful but practically useless.—
Kristie De Pena,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The family gave the news station a tour of the home, showing dirty paw prints and broken appliances and pieces of furniture left in the bear's wake.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
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In Maine, the city of Bangor sued Namdar twice last year, first for code violations including a leaking roof and parking lot disrepair at a local mall, then for a broken sewer line, according to the Bangor Daily News.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In vacuum and one-sixth gravity, lubricants boil off, moving parts behave differently, and remote or autonomous operation is necessary because of the time delay between Earth and Moon, which makes real-time teleoperation impractical.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
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Unfortunately, some of these tests are impractical and risk causing real-world harm.—
Matthew Hutson,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This new capsule collection, comprised of versatile essentials including polos, down jackets and blazers, reflects the brand philosophy of minimalism, elegance and strength.—
Finbarr Toesland,
Robb Report,
24 Sep. 2025
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The André x Elho capsule is part of the winter 2025-26 collection, whose novelties include a down version of Elho’s bomber jacket, anointed the Astro and boasting 90 percent recycled down and a high-quality ripstop fabric.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said later on Tuesday that a key oxygen station at the Al-Quds Hospital was struck by Israeli gunfire and was rendered unusable.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
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If the main engine is declared unusable, one possible option for getting around the main engine problem might be using these smaller thrusters to more gradually adjust the Cygnus spacecraft's orbit to line up the final approach with the ISS.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Of those who reported incidents, none saw a low voltage battery warning before the exterior door handles became inoperative.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
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But the speed came from all three levels of Green Bay’s defense, rendering Washington’s offense almost inoperative.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While Jefferson’s efforts were hindered by Virginia’s challenging climate, pests, and unsuitable vines, his vision laid the foundation for future winemakers.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Sep. 2025
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Rivers—or more specifically the floodplains and forests that flank rivers—are among the most important migratory corridors that allow jaguars to move through unsuitable land cover (such as agriculture) to reach core habitat areas.—
Jeff Opperman,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperable. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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