as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose
the historic wooden ship has been fully restored and is once again an operable seafaring vessel
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Recent Examples of operable
The two-door refrigerator under a burner was not operable.
—
Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Under federal law, a low-speed electric bicycle must have operable pedals, a motor no stronger than 750 watts, and a top speed of 20 mph when powered solely by the motor.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
As part of his state probation, he is also barred from being within 25 feet of any operable aircraft.
—John Capell, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2025
Under local law, even inoperable or replica weapons are considered potentially operable if they can be modified to fire, placing them under the same strict legal framework.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operable
Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Under federal law, a low-speed electric bicycle must have operable pedals, a motor no stronger than 750 watts, and a top speed of 20 mph when powered solely by the motor.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
As part of his state probation, he is also barred from being within 25 feet of any operable aircraft.
—John Capell, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2025
Under local law, even inoperable or replica weapons are considered potentially operable if they can be modified to fire, placing them under the same strict legal framework.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operable
Adjective
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Tax-Aide services are available at 224 locations across communities in a majority of Ohio’s counties.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
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Just $4,000 annually was made available for training, Howell says.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The center of the home is taken up by two large drop-down tables that provide a useful space for working or dining.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Feb. 2026
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December 22 – January 19 Morning chatter can reveal useful information.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operable. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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