1
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
be careful when putting your hands in even an inoperative garbage disposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order
looking for an expert to fix the inoperative grandfather clock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in invalid
having no legal or binding force
the decision of the state's supreme court has rendered the law inoperative
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inoperative
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
The Info menu indicates the right rear sensor is inoperative.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
The Info menu indicates the right rear sensor is inoperative.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
-
Prosecutors in Sacramento alleged that Williamson and at least two others conspired to funnel funds from former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra's dormant campaign account.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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Williamson admitted to diverting $225,000 from a dormant Beccera campaign account to Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s longtime chief of staff.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into the owner of a malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove that has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as fire crews race to avoid an explosion.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
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Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem -- a malfunctioning space toilet.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In some cases, the IRS system did not verify whether a five- or nine-digit number was actually a valid ZIP code, meaning entries with placeholder or otherwise invalid address information could still pass the initial screen.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Of the 40,992 permits his office has audited so far, about 4,707, or just over 11%, were canceled for invalid claims.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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Manager Mark Kotsay said a more thorough evaluation will be made during the club's off day Thursday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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Up next Following an off day on Thursday, the Giants will welcome the Chicago Cubs for three games at Oracle Park.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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The resulting flooding rendered the antenna inoperable.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2026
-
In Park City, Utah, Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe in an exclusive interview on The Drivecast said with the launch of the mass-market R2 the team has worked service times down to hours for critical items, like if a car is inoperable, and to a couple of days for non-critical items.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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The challenge is only open to entrants in states where Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s businesses are located and is void where prohibited.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
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Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes or website, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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Other mammoth rehab projects in the works nearby are expected to help fill vacant offices and revive aging skyscrapers with new apartments and hotel rooms.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
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The former Soul Gastrolounge space has been vacant for nearly four years, and while rumors have recently circulated online about possible new tenants, including mentions of a fast-casual chain or even a mattress store, there’s no confirmation that any of them are legitimate.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
In 1999, there were plenty of sharp down days before the real unwind.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
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All three major averages closed out a down week, with the Nasdaq posting the worst week of the year as chip stocks tumbled.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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