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
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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
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Recent Examples of inoperative
Telecom consultant Jubril Adesina leads the way into the once-grand entrance, where armed guards wave visitors past inoperative turnstiles.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 6 Aug. 2025
Also inoperative the morning of the crash were the runway alignment indicator lights, which had not worked for more than three years.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025
Additionally, there was no regulation preventing landings at Congonhas with an inoperative thrust reverser—even on rainy days.
CENIPA, as a preventive agency, did not name those responsible.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Several election ballot scanners are currently inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
IEEE Spectrum, 6 Aug. 2025
Also inoperative the morning of the crash were the runway alignment indicator lights, which had not worked for more than three years.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025
Additionally, there was no regulation preventing landings at Congonhas with an inoperative thrust reverser—even on rainy days.
CENIPA, as a preventive agency, did not name those responsible.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Several election ballot scanners are currently inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
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In the garden, renewal reigns—from dormant perennials emerging in spring to shrubs bouncing back from a severe pruning, nature refreshes itself.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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Pruning is usually done at specific times of the year, typically while a plant is dormant, before new growth emerges in spring, or once the blooming cycle of a plant is done for the season.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Its Care Team members replicate the roles of Apple Geniuses, helping people who come in with malfunctioning devices or other troubles.—
Julio Ojeda-Zapata,
Twin Cities,
24 Oct. 2025
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Another set piece involving a malfunctioning chair lift is excruciatingly tense.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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If the court rules that the indictment or appointment is invalid, prosecutors may be barred from refiling because the statute of limitations has expired.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Robinson rejected Towers’ arguments that the settlements were invalid due to mutual mistake or missing formal signatures.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Other Republicans say the criticism of the party’s performance is overkill, noting that the major elections of the evening took place in blue-leaning states during an off-year election.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
6 Nov. 2025
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Superstar Victor Wembanyama had an off night, scoring just nine points to go with nine rebounds and four blocks.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to his treatment, Taylor has been focused on the mental health and community aspect of living with an inoperable tumor.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
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The manager of 29 years was adamant the diagnostic test couldn't have caused the car to become inoperable.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Officials believe the fire started in the occupied home and spread to the vacant home next door.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
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No public update on the project has been released since 2023, and the land remains vacant.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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So there was really no down points.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Freep.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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That’s good for a move of about 8% higher in an otherwise down market.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The phrase ‘regulate…importation’ is surrounded by verbs like ‘nullify, void, prevent, and prohibit,’ so it, too, should be interpreted broadly — to include tariffs.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Even so, Posobiec is better positioned than anyone else to fill at least some of the void Kirk has left as one of the most important figures on the contemporary right.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.
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