inoperative

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce inoperative (audio)
Definition of inoperativenext
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

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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

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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

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
  1. dormant
  2. malfunctioning
  3. invalid
  4. off
  5. inoperable
  6. null
  7. vacant
  8. down
Adjective
  • The zoonotic infectious disease is caused by spore-forming bacteria found naturally in soil in most parts of the world, which can remain dormant for long periods, according to the World Health Organization.
    — Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • When to Cut Back Catmint Wait to cut back catmint until mid-winter, when the plant is dormant, or in early spring, to encourage new growth when the plant is preparing to exit dormancy.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 4 Nov. 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
  • Peterson also claimed a portion of Smith’s signatures were invalid.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Rycroft Strickland was arrested on suspicion of a second offense of driving while intoxicated, causing an accident involving damage of more than $200, and driving with an invalid license.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of invalid
Adjective
  • Abbas extracted movement from his off stump line and found the outside edge of Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who was promoted to open the innings in his third test and out for a duck.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2026
  • While taking another sip from her custom, off-menu ginger tea.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • There was a small, inoperable well, an opera house and a carpenter’s studio, a dressmaker, a blacksmith, a bank.
    — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Ukraine’s strike force became inoperable behind front lines; Russian drones were able to hit populated areas, adding to Ukraine’s already high civilian death toll.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 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
  • Bass also attracted criticism over her handling of city spending — giving a series of raises to the workforce and then encountering a $1-billion shortfall, which led to the elimination of more than 1,500 vacant city jobs.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • One is to raise the rates at which wealthier homesteads, rentals, commercial properties and vacant land are taxed.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of vacant
Adjective
  • Proposition 37, which would create a down-payment assistance program to help middle-class Californians buy a home, was approved by voters.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Unlike with Bednar, the Yankees did not extend the qualifying offer to Chisholm, who endured a down season in 2026.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of down

Browse Nearby Words

inoperable
inoperative
inopportune
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Cite this Entry

“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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