INOPERATIVE Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

inoperative

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv

Definition of inoperative

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

as in malfunctioning

not being in working order looking for an expert to fix the inoperative grandfather clock

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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 inoperative The agency has also probed 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles after reports of exterior door handles becoming inoperative due to low battery voltage, leading to instances of children stuck inside. — Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for inoperative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative

Adjective

For me, Sliman was pouring water on a dormant seed anxious to sprout.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Various micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts) can also lie dormant in the tissues for centuries and can recolonize and multiply due to a ready supply of organic material—particularly if the remains have been stored in suboptimal conditions.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dormant

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

An immigrant who overstays their short-term visa is already breaking the law, so the new policy will revoke visas that are already invalid, Martínez-Beltrán explains.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
Smith added that the trial occurred right around the time a new rule regarding peremptory challenges — motions by either side that exclude a juror — went into effect, making several reasons given by prosecutors to challenge a juror invalid.

— Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of invalid

Adjective

The arrival of Marmoush, a springy runner who is dangerous on the break and dynamic with his off-ball movement, helped reinforce a bolder new approach.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Diaz tacked on an RBI single in the ninth off rookie Bradley Hanner as the Astros scored six runs against New York's bullpen.

— CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of off

Adjective

Once authorities seized them, the Justice Department says QScan and QTRouter became inoperable.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The Kia Sportage was stuck on the lip of one end of the bridge, causing the span to become inoperable, the sheriff’s office said.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of inoperable

Adjective

For one, null results—in this case, findings that are not unusual or revelatory—are still useful.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 4 June 2026
However, in the face of an increasing number of null results, most notably in studies published in late 2025, most physicists now agree that this sterile neutrino doesn’t exist.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of null

Adjective

Per the current listing, the site is now vacant and shovel-ready for building out a seven-bedroom, seven-plus-bath behemoth, all connected by a private elevator.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
The vacant 113,464-square-foot building sits at the northeast corner of Bowes Road and South McLean Boulevard.

— Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of vacant

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

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inoperable

inoperative

inopportune

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“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of inoperative

adjective

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