INOPERATIVE Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

inoperative

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv

Definition of inoperative

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in malfunctioning

not being in working order looking for an expert to fix the inoperative grandfather clock

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative

Adjective

In January, Sorrells created a cold case task force that is using advances in DNA technology to try to identify suspects in dormant homicide investigations.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Ryan Gosling is reviving one of his long-dormant side gigs just in time for Halloween.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

Riders had to evacuate its log ride on seven separate occasions because of issues such as boats colliding or becoming jammed and smoke coming from a malfunctioning part of the ride.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Homeowners reported a swift meeting at which officers discussed a reorganization of their specific duties and the hiring of an elevator expert to fix the chronically malfunctioning, overloaded elevators.

— Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of malfunctioning

Adjective

At one point, Green stops to back up Officer Thompson, who’s dealing with a driver whose temporary license plate appears to be invalid.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
Two months later, pointing to the Moreno Valley decision, the city deemed the development agreement invalid and demanded its money back.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of invalid

Adjective

For the first time, off-year elections have attracted more cash than was spent to win the presidential race two years earlier.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
An off week for both teams provides them ample time to prepare, and both have something to prove.

— PJ Green October 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of off

Adjective

Employees are using a chlorine solution with chemical cleaners to sanitize food contact surfaces while dish machine is inoperable.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Ukrainian units reported link drops at speeds as low as 90 km/hr, making those drones inoperable.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of inoperable

Adjective

For one, null results—in this case, findings that are not unusual or revelatory—are still useful.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 4 June 2026
However, in the face of an increasing number of null results, most notably in studies published in late 2025, most physicists now agree that this sterile neutrino doesn’t exist.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of null

Adjective

The television ad begins with a dark video of an empty swing and the faint sound of children’s voices in the background, then shifts to footage of vacant pews inside a church.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
The presidency in this Caribbean nation of 12 million has been vacant since the 2021 assassination of Jovenel Moïse.

— Widlore Mérancourt, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of vacant

Adjective

The team might have experienced a down season in 2025, but one midfielder stood out on tape and in live action nonetheless.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
Around 100 Republicans gathered in the middle of the store, and several down-ballot Republicans spoke before him, including the lieutenant governor nominee.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of down

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inoperable

inoperative

inopportune

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“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of inoperative

adjective

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