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 The latest operation has rendered the tools inoperable in what FBI and Justice Department officials said was a blow to the hacking operation. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 One factor contributing the repair delays – but unmentioned by the GAO report – is acknowledgement that the Washington shipyard at Bremerton on Puget Sound is built on a fault line and four of its dry docks are inoperable following an earthquake. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026 An inoperable air conditioning system and sweaty employees led to the temporary closure of one Fort Worth pizza joint in the latest round of city health inspections, according to the report. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Sep. 2026 Two of the spacecraft's three reaction wheels were found to be inoperable, while its cold-gas thruster system also experienced some loss of functionality. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inoperable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperable

Adjective

Riders had to evacuate its log ride on seven separate occasions because of issues such as boats colliding or becoming jammed and smoke coming from a malfunctioning part of the ride.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of malfunctioning

Adjective

Throw in most sideline reporting and coach interviews, completely useless.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Simply put, the satellite connection would allow Russian operators to steer drones and missiles directly, rendering useless the electronic-warfare network Ukraine has built across the country to jam them.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of useless

Adjective

In Tarrant County, there’s a slate of down ballot candidates, including a race for county judge.

— Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Improvement from 2025 counts most, but the formula also considers previous years to discourage rewarding traditionally strong teams that simply bounce back from a down year.

— Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of down

Adjective

Also, many families of rare disease patients spend years creating databases, known as natural history studies, so they can be used as control groups in trials instead of giving patients a placebo, which is often impractical and unethical.

— Gerry Smith, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Texas law requires elementary schools to provide at least 30 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, which can be cut to 27 minutes per day if scheduling makes the full amount impractical.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 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

Predicted in the 1970s by NASA physicist Donald Kessler, this chain of orbital smashups could make the space around Earth unusable and unsafe.

— Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Shows promise in testing This technology turns unusable, high-arsenic copper into valuable inventory, creating new revenue and cutting operating costs.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of unusable

Adjective

The law makes a distinction between ‘useful’ creations that cannot be copyrighted, including most clothing, and nonfunctional sculptural works like jewelry that may be eligible for copyright protection.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Subsense showed off a nonfunctional mock-up of a cap that looked like a cross between a baseball cap and a bike helmet.

— Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of nonfunctional

Adjective

At one unsuitable Gramercy apartment, Taylor encountered Cam Armand, a salesperson on the Kota team at Compass, and the Folwells enlisted his help.

— Joyce Cohen, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
In a setting designed to make exceptional yachts desirable, explaining why a particular vessel is unsuitable requires commercial discipline.

— Christoph Lymbersky, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Browse Nearby Words

in one's cups

inoperable

inoperative

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Style

“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperable. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of inoperable

adjective

Example Sentences

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