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 revival of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa brings the total number of reactors in Japan currently restarted to 15, out of the 33 reactors that remain operable after the shutdown of Japan’s entire fleet of 54 reactors in the wake of TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi reactor meltdown in 2011.
—
Reuters, NBC news, 21 Jan. 2026
ATMs at banks should remain operable.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 18 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
See All Example Sentences for operable
Reuters, NBC news, 21 Jan. 2026
ATMs at banks should remain operable.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 18 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
See All Example Sentences for operable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operable
Adjective
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If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
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With abundant nutrients available, algal growth can explode, reducing oxygen levels and harming aquatic life.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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For homeowners, spring is a useful time to review records for mortgage interest, property taxes, home office expenses, if applicable, and receipts for major home improvements that may be worth keeping for future tax purposes.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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Listen fully, because useful details hide in ordinary words.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operable. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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