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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inoperative
The lack of power snarled traffic throughout the affected areas as traffic signals remained inoperative.
—
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
Of those who reported incidents, none saw a low voltage battery warning before the exterior door handles became inoperative.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
But the speed came from all three levels of Green Bay’s defense, rendering Washington’s offense almost inoperative.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
Of those who reported incidents, none saw a low voltage battery warning before the exterior door handles became inoperative.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
But the speed came from all three levels of Green Bay’s defense, rendering Washington’s offense almost inoperative.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
-
Adding defensive end Rashan Gary will help bolster a pass rush that was dormant for stretches at a time last season, and bringing in safety Jalen Thompson will give some reliability on the back end that Dallas desperately needed after giving up the most passing yards of any team in the NFL in 2025.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2026
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While homeowners fear their brown lawns mean dead grass, Cline and others say lawns that look brown in spring are merely lying dormant.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The handwash sink next to the restrooms and kitchen had a malfunctioning soap dispenser.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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Often, the easiest solution to fix a malfunctioning attack is to change the striker.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Because the price hikes were found to be imposed without providing customers with valid justifications, the court ruled that the new prices are invalid and ordered Netflix to refund affected subscribers.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The ruling makes those increases legally invalid.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Because of four early off days in their schedule, the Yankees didn’t have a need for a fifth starter until April 11.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Following an off day, RHP Michael McGreevy (0-0) starts Friday in Detroit against LHP Framber Valdez (0-0).—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The blasts ocurred in international waters and left the pipelines inoperable.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
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Unfortunately for tourists looking for a place to go, the one that showed up Monday morning on the promenade in front of the Lincoln Memorial is inoperable.—
Joe Heim,
Washington Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Within in an hour of the first departure in Lantana, the helicopter nosedived through the roof of a vacant warehouse near the 3800 block of South Congress Avenue just west of Interstate 95.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
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And while the vacant Boise store remains listed for lease at 8249 Franklin Road, the interior of the soon-to-open Meridian shop has gotten a vibrant makeover.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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There are even pillows up to 83% off, like Bedsure’s down-alternative design for back and side sleepers, plus four-piece moistur-wicking bamboo bedding sets under $100.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Apr. 2026
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Some of our stocks bucking Thursday’s down market include Corning , Linde and Costco .—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This Promotion is void outside the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and where prohibited.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Fort Worth and Aledo are asking the court to void Willow Park’s annexations of the Beall property and the Bankhead Highway right-of-way, as well as void Willow Park’s new city limits map.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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