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
Although there several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania, no widespread voting problems had been reported by the late afternoon.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Perhaps most notably, both sides deploy decoy vehicles—either inoperative derelicts or inflatable fakes—to draw enemy fire away from real vehicles.
—David Axe, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Although there several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania, no widespread voting problems had been reported by the late afternoon.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The undercover sources were with him every step of the way, picking him up from his home, traveling to Nashville, and providing him with inoperative explosives, prosecutors said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Perhaps most notably, both sides deploy decoy vehicles—either inoperative derelicts or inflatable fakes—to draw enemy fire away from real vehicles.
—David Axe, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Although there several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania, no widespread voting problems had been reported by the late afternoon.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The undercover sources were with him every step of the way, picking him up from his home, traveling to Nashville, and providing him with inoperative explosives, prosecutors said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
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Summer heat and dry conditions slow down turfgrass growth; drought-tolerant grass turns dormant, a natural protective response to adverse conditions.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2025
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While most hosts of the parasite can control the initial infection with few if any symptoms, Toxoplasma remains in the body for life as dormant cysts in brain, heart and muscle tissue.—
Bill Sullivan,
The Conversation,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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But there’s a risk to competing with an invalid NIL deal, because the schools are arming the CSC with enforcement authority.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
10 June 2025
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That some of the claims of the key EPC patents were invalid and should never have been granted in the first place.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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For those who aren’t seeking beach time, the island also was praised for offering historic sites, golf courses and other off-shore activities.—
Simone Jasper,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
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After an off day Thursday, the Arizona Diamondbacks come to GABP for three games.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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There is a broken down vehicle on I-670 between I-70 (West) and Central Avenue/Exit 1A.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2025
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Plenty of bro love fills that gap in the serviceable sequel, which teams action-hero CPA Christian (Ben Affleck) with his hitman sibling Braxton (Jon Bernthal) to solve a mystery involving a broken family and human trafficking.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Null and Void The first major point of controversy involves something called the null energy condition, under which—among other things—energy can’t propagate faster than light.—
Lyndie Chiou,
Scientific American,
30 Apr. 2025
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Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s team also provided information that could render these accusations null.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Housing has emerged as a key issue in this year’s mayoral race as the city reels from skyrocketing rents and a dearth of vacant apartments, and there’s widespread agreement more units must be built.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
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Hartford Prints! has taken over a vacant storefront next door, has broken down a wall and joined the two spaces.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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Baker said radio communications between the pilot and air traffic controllers indicated the pilot knew the weather system was inoperable.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 May 2025
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Lights inside the three-door upright roller were inoperable.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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The suit asked a judge to block the Graham Companies from canceling the original 2014 land deal, which the Graham Companies said was void after Triple Five failed to meet development deadlines.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
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Any medical debt reported in violation of this law is void and unenforceable.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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