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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inoperative
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
While the thrust levers were the final straw, other contributing factors included the lack of regulations prohibiting landings at Congonhas Airport with an inoperative thrust reverser, especially under heavy rain conditions.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Additionally, there was no regulation preventing landings at Congonhas with an inoperative thrust reverser—even on rainy days.
CENIPA, as a preventive agency, did not name those responsible.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Several election ballot scanners are currently inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025
While the thrust levers were the final straw, other contributing factors included the lack of regulations prohibiting landings at Congonhas Airport with an inoperative thrust reverser, especially under heavy rain conditions.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Additionally, there was no regulation preventing landings at Congonhas with an inoperative thrust reverser—even on rainy days.
CENIPA, as a preventive agency, did not name those responsible.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Several election ballot scanners are currently inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
-
To help your plants establish, make sure to get potted raspberries in the ground at least 4 to 6 weeks before frost is expected, or choose bare root canes, which are dormant and can be planted even later in the season, as long as the ground isn't frozen.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Someone’s words could catch you off guard, or perhaps awaken a part of you that’s been dormant.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Another set piece involving a malfunctioning chair lift is excruciatingly tense.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
If the court rules that the indictment or appointment is invalid, prosecutors may be barred from refiling because the statute of limitations has expired.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Robinson rejected Towers’ arguments that the settlements were invalid due to mutual mistake or missing formal signatures.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
On the right side of the room, a steel cut image is projected from the wall with fiberglass rods arranged in an off center trapezoid.—
Mario Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
-
And then the third Wednesday is an off week.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to his treatment, Taylor has been focused on the mental health and community aspect of living with an inoperable tumor.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The manager of 29 years was adamant the diagnostic test couldn't have caused the car to become inoperable.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Greenwood Republican Stacie Smith is seeking election to the vacant Senate District 26 seat formerly held by the late Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, Smith announced on Thursday.—
Ella McCarthy,
Arkansas Online,
31 Oct. 2025
-
City Council members approved last month cutting five employees, eliminating 15 vacant positions and other maneuvers to close a $3 million budget deficit.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
So there was really no down points.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Freep.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
That’s good for a move of about 8% higher in an otherwise down market.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Even so, Posobiec is better positioned than anyone else to fill at least some of the void Kirk has left as one of the most important figures on the contemporary right.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
-
This Promotion is void outside the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and where prohibited.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share