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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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 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
The systems could have electrical compressor failure, which can cause the defroster or defogger to be inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash, the recall notice said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
The systems could have electrical compressor failure, which can cause the defroster or defogger to be inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash, the recall notice said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
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Identifying Africa’s dormant capital is a great first step, but there’s a long way to go.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The rhizomatic roots spread horizontally under the soil surface to keep this perennial spreading even if the plant becomes dormant during hot weather.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem — a malfunctioning space toilet.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These are invalid measurements made up by MBAs who never played the game on a serious level.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Out-of-state medicical marijuana cards are invalid in Idaho as the drug is not federally protected for medicinal use.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The film will be produced by Amy Pascal and Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Aditya Sood through Lord Miller’s first‑look deal with Universal Pictures — fresh off success with their Amazon MGM sci-fi pic Project Hail Mary, which has grossed over $147M worldwide at time of reporting.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
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His off-camera thoughts were revealed when internal communications between Fox staffers went public in 2023 due to Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation lawsuit against Fox News for knowingly broadcasting false claims that its machines rigged the 2020 election.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That makes their cancer inoperable.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
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City says cars were inoperable The Somerville Department of Public Works says these cars are inoperable and awaiting disposal.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The lobby and tenant amenity areas were upgraded in 2019, according to real estate tracker CoStar, which lists the property as more than half vacant.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
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The vacant structure had been damaged by a fire once already when it was set ablaze a second time, damaging the property next door, said Jackson, president of the South End Neighborhood Association.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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After losing Boye Mafe in free agency, Seattle replaces him with Parker, whose stock as a one-time top-15 prospect took a hit after a down statistical season in 2025.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
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When a car reaches an overpass, there’s some probability — call it x — that the car will take the down ramp instead of the overpass.—
Erica Klarreich,
Quanta Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Giveaway 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.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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The contest is void where prohibited by law.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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