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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Recent Examples of inoperable
The running game is completely inoperable, and a return to Isiah Pacheco as the lead running back is a confusing decision.
—
Sam McDowell December 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Dec. 2025
The ferry, however, is currently docked and inoperable—though the duo hasn't lost their sense of humor about the situation, even joking about it on SNL's Weekend Update.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Dec. 2025
Panhandle Police Chief Sace Hardman, who said their car was also found parked and inoperable, shared that the couple likely died of hypothermia and that there is no foul play suspected in their deaths at this time, according to Everything Lubbock, CBS Austin and NewsNation.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
Can an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle be subject to a fine?
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Sam McDowell December 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Dec. 2025
The ferry, however, is currently docked and inoperable—though the duo hasn't lost their sense of humor about the situation, even joking about it on SNL's Weekend Update.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Dec. 2025
Panhandle Police Chief Sace Hardman, who said their car was also found parked and inoperable, shared that the couple likely died of hypothermia and that there is no foul play suspected in their deaths at this time, according to Everything Lubbock, CBS Austin and NewsNation.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
Can an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle be subject to a fine?
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperable
Adjective
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Elk Creek Fire An initial investigation into the fire indicates it was caused in part by a malfunctioning gas generator and also high winds.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
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Its Care Team members replicate the roles of Apple Geniuses, helping people who come in with malfunctioning devices or other troubles.—
Julio Ojeda-Zapata,
Twin Cities,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Brown’s statement on Monday was mostly useless corporate-speak.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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This tiny amount of copper acts as a molecular steering wheel, preventing sugar molecules from shattering into useless carbon dioxide.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Vikings were last in the NFL in turnovers, interceptions and third down conversions and second-to-last in sack percentage.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
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While a small sample size, the historical record for what happens after the S & P 500 has a down month after a seven-month win streak is more reassuring than alarming for the near term.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Critics lambasted those policies as impractical at best, reckless at worst.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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The Countach is also famously impractical and a pain to drive, so the next buyer will likely be taking on a more-than-usual stewardship role in terms of old supercars, the service not being to themselves but to the wider community, which gets to look at the Countach rather than operate it.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
3 Nov. 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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At 5-nanometre or smaller nodes (current cutting-edge chips), a tiny 30-nanometre particle (about 1/3,000th the width of a hair) can ruin a circuit and make the chip unusable.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
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That said, while each companion’s abilities bring something to the table, they get downed by enemies a lot, which renders their abilities unusable until they can be revived.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Internal displacement, malnutrition, and disease are widespread, with nearly 95 percent of the population forced from their homes and most health facilities damaged or nonfunctional.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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There was one nonfunctional small reach-in refrigerator next to the griddle.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Soils that are high in peat moss are unsuitable for citrus trees.—
Derek Carwood,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Jan. 2026
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These tests, though frequently used in Denmark as part of child protection investigations, were criticized as inappropriate and unsuitable for the people of Greenland and other minorities.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperable. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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