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
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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 Info menu indicates the right rear sensor is inoperative.
—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
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
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
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
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On the eighth, an older dormant function remained active and began generating unintended trades when markets opened.—
Aditya Vikram Kashyap,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Granted, Becerra has had a hard week, with a gaffe with a reporter that went viral and a plea deal by a former aide in that case of money misappropriated from his dormant campaign account.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem -- a malfunctioning space toilet.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
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Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem — a malfunctioning space toilet.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On that basis, the Virginia Supreme Court majority held that the amendment was invalid, even though a majority of Virginians subsequently approved it.—
Noah Feldman,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
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On that basis, the Virginia Supreme Court majority held that the amendment was invalid, even though a majority of Virginians subsequently approved it.—
Noah Feldman,
Twin Cities,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Beyond that Constitutional requirement, Census numbers and their off-year demographic studies are used for a wide range of research and economic reports.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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The apparent demise of the Voting Rights Act and its immediate effects come after almost a year of extraordinary off-cycle attempts to gerrymander maps around the country.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Water damage is some of the most severe damage a vehicle can endure, often rendering cars completely immobile and inoperable.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
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The car was heavily damaged and was inoperable after the crash, according to police.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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But during a time when Detroit officials had verifiable data on formerly vacant homes and buildings being redeveloped into housing, they were frustrated that Census population estimates did not align with local data.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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Whatever the case may be, don’t let your shoes spend too long vacant on the porch.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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If supply is down and demand is the same, that leaves prices nowhere to go but up.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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On the down side, there’s not a lot of history here.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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An innovation sandbox should also be void of fears related to professional consequences.—
Syed Ahmad,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Since the moon is also void for nearly the entire day, before entering Aries later this evening, the energy could feel strangely unsettled.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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