NONOPERATIVE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

nonoperative

adjective

Definition of nonoperative

as in nonoperational

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 nonoperative Services range from nonoperative treatment options and minimally invasive outpatient surgery to complex and life-enhancing surgical procedures, according to Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine. — Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025 In many cases, similar or better results can be achieved using options including multidisciplinary care that includes an expert nonoperative physician, physical therapy and lifestyle interventions. — Greg Licholai, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2022 Another call came in about the handrail, then a call about an emergency-exit gate at Fort Hamilton Parkway with a nonoperative magnet. — Andy Newman, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2020 Candidates for surgery have attempted nonoperative treatments without relief of symptoms. — Tj Gibson, azcentral, 9 May 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonoperative

Adjective

Kosmos 2553 began to spin out of control in April 2025 and is believed to currently be nonoperational.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 8 July 2026
The car was nonoperational and not under his name, but was left in his care.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026

Definition of nonoperational

Adjective

If the main engines were to become inoperative, six smaller orbit-control thrusters can still be activated on the lunar surface, providing an alternative pathway for a rapid ascent.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
And there’s been plenty of media focus since then — including on inoperative toilets.

— Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of inoperative

Adjective

These polar nanoclusters would ideally be electrically inactive but quickly respond to electrical fields and add tunability to the material’s properties when needed.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
The product also contains benzalkonium chloride, boric acid, edetate disodium, purified water, sodium chloride and sodium citrate as inactive ingredients.

— Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of inactive

Adjective

Peekachu, for example, has a nonfunctional right eye, while Secord enjoys moving enrichment items around the habitat with her mouth.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
In most populations around the world, many of these genes have accumulated mutations over time that have left about 60 percent of them nonfunctional.

— Willow Zhang, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of nonfunctional

Adjective

Drivers say their contract issues center on pay as well as safety issues, including nonfunctioning heaters, loudspeakers and windshield wipers.

— Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Feb. 2023
In 2020, the state of Virginia passed some bills limiting pretextual traffic stops—for example, when police spot nonfunctioning brake or tail lights or hear an overly loud exhaust system.

— Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 30 Jan. 2023

Definition of nonfunctioning

Adjective

This conflation of fundraising with oversight leads to ineffective leadership, mission drift, and significant fiscal waste, including billions in turnover costs.

— Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The Los Angeles City Council has rescinded camping bans on a dozen locations in Hollywood, Echo Park and Silver Lake at the urging of the area’s council member, who called the bans ineffective in addressing homelessness.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of ineffective

Adjective

Casper Kelly, the delightfully skewed sensibility behind Adult Swim’s ‘Too Many Cooks,’ makes a first theatrical feature that feels like a broken time loop.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Mass spectrometry revealed that the broken containers had once held something containing the chemical compounds theobromine, theophylline, caffeine, and paraxanthine.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of broken

Browse Nearby Words

nonoperational

nonoperative

nonorthodox

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nonoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonoperative. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of nonoperative

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

illustrious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes