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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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

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. void
  7. vacant
  8. down
Adjective
  • For the better part of a decade, the feud lay relatively dormant.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
  • Aim to water aloe vera about every two to three weeks during summer months and once a month or less when the plant is dormant in winter.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 July 2026
Definition of dormant
Adjective
  • 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
  • Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem -- a malfunctioning space toilet.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of malfunctioning
Adjective
  • 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
  • But in addition to saying the city’s 650-foot rule was invalid, the state also included a threat.
    — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 9 July 2026
Definition of invalid
Adjective
  • For the dozens of NHL, minor league and college players who make their off-season homes in Minnesota, informal morning skates at various arenas throughout the Twin Cities have been going on for decades.
    — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 17 July 2026
  • In May, the Braves have four off days and just two road trips, one to Philadelphia and Detroit followed by another to Kansas City and to New York to face the Mets.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • 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
  • Kunpat said the three men were also dismissed before the completion of their nine-month employment contracts after the attack rendered the ship inoperable.
    — Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of inoperable
Adjective
  • But, as evidenced by the response on Instagram, there was a void Big Daddy Kane needed to fill.
    — Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 14 July 2026
  • Petition sheets circulated by people who aren’t residents of Idaho are considered void.
    — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2026
Definition of void
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
Adjective
  • Stock futures are sliding this morning following a down session yesterday.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • McMichael might be coming off a down season statistically, but he’s produced in the past with a 26-goal, 57-point season two years ago.
    — Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 16 July 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 23 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of inoperative for Spanish Speakers

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