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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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
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
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
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And inflation, which had bedeviled the United States and much of the global economy during the 1970s, was remarkably dormant during Greenspan’s chairmanship, something many economists had not thought could occur for so long a period.
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Some of the microbes may still exist in a dormant state more than 5,000 years after Ötzi's death, as his body sits at the South Tyrol Museum, the experts said.
Adjective
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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.
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Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem -- a malfunctioning space toilet.
Adjective
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Many argue that signatures are invalid because signers listed incorrect addresses or live outside of the district the candidate wants to represent.
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Some associations would deny the requests over invalid online registrations, and some residents would accuse their community of overzealous rule enforcement.
Adjective
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On off days in the villa, the boys and girls would alternate every other week to split the responsibility.
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All six runs in the game came off homers, with Texas' Joc Pederson delivering a two-run shot in the third off rookie Mike Paredes.
Adjective
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In the New Century AirCenter crash, the Kansas Highway Patrol said a mechanical malfunction caused the left engine of the plane to become inoperable.
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The resulting flooding rendered the antenna inoperable.
Adjective
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Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes or website, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.
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There are several marketing terms–like ‘natural’ or ‘fresh’–on product packaging that are essentially void of any significant meaning, and consumers are becoming more knowledgeable, thus skeptical, about these terms.
Adjective
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Detroit fire crews extinguished the fire at the vacant home, and no injuries were reported.
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Like so many other places in regional Britain, its mines and mills have been replaced by retail and service industry jobs; its local stores now vape shops or vacant altogether.
Adjective
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That down year is not necessarily an indication of Jefferson as a talent.
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The down alternative also keeps you supportive and cool all night long.
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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