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
  • As the dikes spread, the region faced earthquakes and brought back into action long dormant faults, draining the magma beneath the ridge.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
  • Energy Substantiation’s model attempts to monetize those dormant barrels while using them to back digital tokens.
    — Mia Gindis, Fortune, 9 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
  • Originally scheduled to pitch in Sacramento on July 1, the Dodgers cited rest for the two-way player in the midst of 13 straight days on the team’s schedule without an off day.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • At the time, Ashley posted evidence of this by sharing an Instagram reel of herself excitedly dancing behind Kimberly as the Father of the Bride star showed off her off-shoulder floral gown.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026
Definition of off
Adjective
  • There’s also a physical threshold above which runways themselves become inoperable.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • The lawsuit points to a May 6 mayoral debate where Bass was asked about cuts to the LAFD's operational budget, which left fire engines inoperable.
    — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 24 June 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
  • Because of rising costs, only one phase was ever completed, and the land next door that was supposed to be Phase Three continues to sit vacant.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Homeless encampments that serve as places for drug addicts to shoot up line several vacant and overgrown lots.
    — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Definition of vacant
Adjective
  • If Rice and new running back Kenneth Walker can serve as the team’s early down answers that keep defenses honest, that should open up opportunity for Mahomes to finally see some open looks downfield again.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • While last year was a down year compared to the year before, Ovechkin still appeared in all 82 games and potted 64 points, with 32 goals and 32 assists.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 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 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inoperative

Nglish: Translation of inoperative for Spanish Speakers

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