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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inoperative
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
The systems could have electrical compressor failure, which can cause the defroster or defogger to be inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash, the recall notice said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The city of Los Angeles got in touch with its inner child on Thursday, Aug. 21 when its Department of Recreation and Parks approved the purchase of a 99-year-old inoperative merry-go-round at a price of $1 million for the benefit of children who visit Griffith Park.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
The systems could have electrical compressor failure, which can cause the defroster or defogger to be inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash, the recall notice said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The city of Los Angeles got in touch with its inner child on Thursday, Aug. 21 when its Department of Recreation and Parks approved the purchase of a 99-year-old inoperative merry-go-round at a price of $1 million for the benefit of children who visit Griffith Park.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
-
Crepe myrtles bloom on new growth, and the best time to prune is while the tree is dormant, so new growth isn't killed by a late cold snap.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Allow dormant, brown lawns time to recover in the warmer weather before fertilizing in April.—
Wayne Hobbs,
Florida Times-Union,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Often, the easiest solution to fix a malfunctioning attack is to change the striker.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
There's also the scenario where the user experience just isn't great, whether that's subpar customer service or a malfunctioning app.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump has repeatedly claimed that some executive orders signed with an autopen should be considered invalid.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Mar. 2026
-
There is no grace period for this law, meaning trans and nonbinary people will have immediately invalid documents putting them at risk of a US$1,000 fine and up to six months in jail for driving with an invalid license.—
Noelle Martin,
The Conversation,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Although Elordi leans heavily into tailoring on the red carpet, his off-duty outfits sit on the side of gorpcore-chic.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
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The $33 flip-flops have earned rave reviews from professionals constantly on their feet, such as nurses and teachers who opt for them as a recovery shoe for their off days.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The bag handle broke and is inoperable.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Finally, after Mason let fans know there was an electrical circuit issue and the video board would be inoperable for the remainder of the game, the crowd broke out in a collective cheer as the buzzer finally turned off and basketball could resume.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The church, the school, and the rest of the campus — which published reports say also included a rectory, a convent, and an annex — were left vacant.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
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In the darkness of a vacant parking lot outside Dell Children's Medical Center, more than 50 of Andres Vega's friends and family members extended their arms into the air Wednesday evening and sang his favorite spiritual song.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Wayfair Sleep All-Season Down Alternative Comforter Bring luxurious comfort to your bedroom with this down alternative comforter that dozens of shoppers say feels like hotel bedding.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
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The success of the farm system, much like the major league roster, will be predicated on how a number of position player prospects respond to down seasons.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Late or incomplete entries will be void.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Roughly 1,800 transgender Kansans’ state identification documents that align with their gender identities are now void under a state law that took effect Thursday.—
Sofi Zeman
March 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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