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
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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
-
After a recent arrest in the long-dormant case, some agents say the barrage of threats persist — and not enough is done to protect them.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Following 26 dormant innings to start the season, the Giants had an opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth against All-Star closer David Bednar.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
29 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
-
Critics fear that if late counting goes away, potentially millions of legitimate votes could be deemed invalid.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Changes to the hepatitis B vaccines for newborns and COVID-19 shots made via earlier ACIP votes were deemed invalid.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
All of them were working in an off duty capacity, police spokesperson Officer Cynthia Wood said in an email to the Star-Telegram.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
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There’s also a 12-game stretch without an off day.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Unfortunately for tourists looking for a place to go, the one that showed up Monday morning on the promenade in front of the Lincoln Memorial is inoperable.—
Joe Heim,
Washington Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The small park's inoperable decorative fountain will be replaced by a paved space, better suited for hosting events; its perimeter will be more defined, including with seat walls; and its green space and trees will be maintained.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Fields and the future Karahan teamed up with Hunt Realty as well as investors Chief Partners and Crosstie Capital in 2018 to acquire what was the largest remaining vacant property in Frisco — a tract that belonged to the estate of Dallas businessman Bert Fields.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
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The artistic director position has been effectively vacant for several months.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Borrowers pay interest on both the primary mortgage and the down-payment loan rather than making a cash down payment.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The Bulldogs had a down year in 2024 with a 2-12 district record but got back to their winning ways this season with a 9-3 district performance.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Fort Worth and Aledo are asking the court to void Willow Park’s annexations of the Beall property and the Bankhead Highway right-of-way, as well as void Willow Park’s new city limits map.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
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The contest is void where prohibited by law.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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