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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2
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order looking for an expert to fix the inoperative grandfather clock

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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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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
  • 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
  • Police arrested her on suspicion of second offense driving while intoxicated, accident involving damage more than $200 and driving while license invalid.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Comey's legal team has described it as legally invalid and politically motivated, and is pushing the judge to dismiss it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of invalid
Adjective
  • The effect is something like an off-season approximation of a sidewalk, and, your winter climate permitting, sidewalk chalk (tons of it, for $18) is another good option.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The plot’s exposure damaged Democrat Mary Peltola, knocking her off-message, and now threatens her party’s chances of winning control of the Senate.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 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
  • Planners still regarded the district as an important source of industrial jobs even as vacant lofts were filling with artists using them in new ways still prohibited by the laws on the books.
    — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In Highland, the town will receive an $886,300 grant to create Kennedy Commons from a long-vacant former gas station at 8436 Kennedy Avenue.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 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

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 6 Nov. 2026.

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