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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
The systems could have electrical compressor failure, which can cause the defroster or defogger to be inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash, the recall notice said.
—
Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Telecom consultant Jubril Adesina leads the way into the once-grand entrance, where armed guards wave visitors past inoperative turnstiles.
—IEEE Spectrum, 6 Aug. 2025
Also inoperative the morning of the crash were the runway alignment indicator lights, which had not worked for more than three years.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025
Several election ballot scanners are currently inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
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As the mercury plummets and back-to-work blues set in for much of humankind in the UK, many other creatures are cosily spending winter in a blissfully dormant state of hibernation.—
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Cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Nohl Williams were among the Chiefs’ best players for a second consecutive week as both helped shut down a dormant Raiders pass game.—
Adjective
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Elk Creek Fire An initial investigation into the fire indicates it was caused in part by a malfunctioning gas generator and also high winds.—
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Its Care Team members replicate the roles of Apple Geniuses, helping people who come in with malfunctioning devices or other troubles.—
Adjective
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After an examination of her records, the election board said 188 of Walker Thomas’ petition signatures were invalid, which brought her total number of valid signatures to 445, below the minimum 500 signatures required to run.—
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Noriega argued his charges were invalid under the legal doctrine that heads of state are often immune from prosecution, but courts rejected that argument in his case.—
Adjective
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Other Republicans say the criticism of the party’s performance is overkill, noting that the major elections of the evening took place in blue-leaning states during an off-year election.—
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Superstar Victor Wembanyama had an off night, scoring just nine points to go with nine rebounds and four blocks.—
Adjective
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Around then, his father sold an inoperable Dodge Dart.—
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To make things harder for the Packers, the heaters on their sideline have been inoperable for much of the game, according to Fox Sports.—
Adjective
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Officials believe the fire started in the occupied home and spread to the vacant home next door.—
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No public update on the project has been released since 2023, and the land remains vacant.—
Adjective
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The Vikings were last in the NFL in turnovers, interceptions and third down conversions and second-to-last in sack percentage.—
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While a small sample size, the historical record for what happens after the S & P 500 has a down month after a seven-month win streak is more reassuring than alarming for the near term.—
Adjective
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Though his contract expires after 2028, Miami could use a void year that will result in an $11 million cap charge in 2029.—
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The contest is void where prohibited by law.—
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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