INOPERABLE Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

inoperable

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl

Definition of inoperable

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

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 Additionally, the software issue could cause the signal lamps, hazard lamp function and certain warning buzzers to become inoperable. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 Laptops, Phones, and Other Electronics The internal parts of electronics could be at risk of permanently overheating, rendering the device inoperable or beyond repair when left in a hot car, according to Van Tassell. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026 For Griffin, even as community support and public awareness have grown, the health risks and business challenges are getting worse as time goes on and the air conditioning remains inoperable. — Seamus Bozeman follow, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 But Trump’s Energy Department has gone further, ordering several plants to stay open beyond their retirement date — even ones that are broken and inoperable. — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inoperable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperable

Adjective

Homeowners reported a swift meeting at which officers discussed a reorganization of their specific duties and the hiring of an elevator expert to fix the chronically malfunctioning, overloaded elevators.

— Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Watching the first episode of Ultimate Girl’s Trip is like riding in a malfunctioning time machine.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of malfunctioning

Adjective

The bedspread gives you all of the fluffy loft without risking overheating, thanks to its breathable down-alternative fill and box-stitch design that keeps it evenly distributed.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2026
Atwell is a hometown hero from his high school days as a quarterback for Miami Northwestern High, leading the storied football program back to a state championship as a senior after a down stretch of seasons.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of down

Adjective

Force majeure clauses excuse a party from performance when an unforeseeable external event like extreme weather or war makes performance impossible or impractical.

— Ashlee Difuntorum, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
There is no justification for American deaths in the name of the unsustainable and impractical goal of total military dominance, let alone unnecessary wars of choice.

— Alexander Langlois, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 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

Phoenix Semiconductor engineers helped NAVAIR recover a supply of unusable legacy chips for a safety-critical system on the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
John Gruber, a tech blogger, posited that Claude would now more readily default to watermarked words, rather than unleash the full scope of its linguistic range, which might result in lower-quality text, or in some cases unusable prose.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of unusable

Adjective

Peekachu, for example, has a nonfunctional right eye, while Secord enjoys moving enrichment items around the habitat with her mouth.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
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

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

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“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperable. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of inoperable

adjective

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