inoperable

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce inoperable (audio)
Definition of inoperablenext
1
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order we have several inoperable cars on the property

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in useless
not capable of being put to use or account a delightfully creative but inoperable plan for building a theme park in the area

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 inoperable The aircraft was headed south when a malfunction caused the left engine to become inoperable, a Kansas Highway Patrol crash report said. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2026 The resulting flooding rendered the antenna inoperable. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 June 2026 In Park City, Utah, Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe in an exclusive interview on The Drivecast said with the launch of the mass-market R2 the team has worked service times down to hours for critical items, like if a car is inoperable, and to a couple of days for non-critical items. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 10 June 2026 According to the Los Angeles Times, Paris died of complications from an inoperable brain tumor in March 1986. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperable
  1. malfunctioning
  2. useless
  3. down
  4. impractical
  5. inoperative
  6. unusable
  7. nonfunctional
  8. unsuitable
Adjective
  • Watching the first episode of Ultimate Girl’s Trip is like riding in a malfunctioning time machine.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nuggets, wings, manchurian mix, lentils and chicken were stored above proper holding temperatures in a malfunctioning refrigerator unit.
    — Vince Basada August 7, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of malfunctioning
Adjective
  • Houston Astros outfielder Taylor Trammell took a useless jog around the bases in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, what's worth the money for one person may be completely useless to someone else, regardless of the cost.
    — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of useless
Adjective
  • The down-ballot race comes as insurers flee California, raise premiums and face backlash over wildfire claims, heightening stakes for homeowners, renters and businesses from Pacific Palisades to the San Francisco Bay Area.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Maine fishermen caught more than 78 million pounds (35 million kilograms) of lobster last year — a down year by the industry's recent standards.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of down
Adjective
  • Other models, like Dive-LD and Dive-XL, are used to map the seafloor and perform missions that are too dangerous or impractical for human divers.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The alternatives to dealing with this problem would be redesigning airports (impractical and expensive) or restricting flight schedules (really expensive), so Airbus wants to make the new wings foldable.
    — David Szondy August 04, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of impractical
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
  • To get rid of the salt, factories rely on reverse osmosis, which leaves behind a concentrated, unusable brine.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Open the restrooms before the park becomes unusable due to the smell of public urination.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of unusable
Adjective
  • 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
  • Amid three years of war, the WHO reported in April 2026 that 37% of Sudan’s health facilities were nonfunctional.
    — Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 29 July 2026
Definition of nonfunctional
Adjective
  • When channels are created with unsuitable blades, angles, or placement, transplanted hair may grow in an unnatural direction or produce an overly uniform appearance.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Websites often attract unsuitable clients due to ineffective copy, hindering business growth.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsuitable

Browse Nearby Words

in one's cups
inoperable
inoperative
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperable. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of inoperable for Spanish Speakers

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