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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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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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

After this sale, the market for an NFL team could be dormant for a while.

— Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 22 July 2026
The Cinerama Dome in Hollywood is finally set to reopen after six years of lying dormant since the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

Definition of dormant

Adjective

Oen Sujet’s catalog sounds equally like the product of a random number generator or a malfunctioning algorithm as of a deeply mercurial artist.

— Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026
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

Definition of malfunctioning

Adjective

Costco is not liable for incentives not received due to entry of an invalid address during sign-up.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 July 2026
He was barred from the ballot paper after Russia’s Supreme Court ruled that more than 9,000 signatures submitted by Nadezhdin’s campaign were invalid — enough to disqualify him.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026

Definition of invalid

Adjective

Friday’s game began a 13-game run without an off day for the Rangers.

— Cal Phillips Updated July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
Keep refrigerated foods cold, store leftovers promptly and always check for signs of spoilage such as an off smell, mold or changes in texture.

— LeeAnn Weintraub, Oc Register, 25 July 2026

Definition of off

Adjective

For Griffin, even as community support and public awareness have grown, the health risks and business challenges are getting worse as time goes on and the air conditioning remains inoperable.

— Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
But Trump’s Energy Department has gone further, ordering several plants to stay open beyond their retirement date — even ones that are broken and inoperable.

— Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 13 July 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 historic Art Deco shops fronting the new hotel along Washington that its developers were obligated to renovate remain fully vacant.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
There’s the new buildings such as Queensbridge Collective or 110 East in South End, which is about 5% vacant.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026

Definition of vacant

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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 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of inoperative

adjective

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