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
  • Hooping now has become a form of reclamation, an outlet for recovering a childhood joy that sat dormant for years.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The development had gone dormant by the time DeFaria was brought in by his old colleagues to revive the project.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of dormant
Adjective
  • 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
  • Watching the first episode of Ultimate Girl’s Trip is like riding in a malfunctioning time machine.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of malfunctioning
Adjective
  • Specifically, Edgerton is asking the court to declare the petition void, rule that its data center prohibition is an invalid and permanently prevent the ordinance from being submitted to voters.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The government maintains that the request for class certification came too late and is invalid anyway.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of invalid
Adjective
  • The Bears will practice Sunday afternoon, which is expected to be mostly the first-team players who did not play in the game, before an off day Monday.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Mehidy then produced a superb delivery that straightened past the bat of Beau Webster (5) and clipped the top of off stump to have Australia at 6-193, still trailing by 35 runs and with the tail exposed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • Additionally, the software issue could cause the signal lamps, hazard lamp function and certain warning buzzers to become inoperable.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Laptops, Phones, and Other Electronics The internal parts of electronics could be at risk of permanently overheating, rendering the device inoperable or beyond repair when left in a hot car, according to Van Tassell.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 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
  • Volkanovski recently regained the vacant title and successfully defended it in February.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Either Melissa Hernandez or Aisha Wahab will fill Eric Swalwell’s vacant seat as California’s 14th District representative.
    — Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of vacant
Adjective
  • The Cowboys stuffed three rushing attempts before a fourth down sack from Isaiah Land.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Backup quarterback Orion Olmstead failed to complete a pass and his fourth down run came up two yards short.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inoperative

Nglish: Translation of inoperative for Spanish Speakers

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