inoperable

adjective

in·​op·​er·​a·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-bəl 

1

: not treatable or remediable by surgery

an inoperable brain tumor

2

: not functioning : inoperative

Synonyms

• down
• inoperative
• kaput
• kaputt
• malfunctioning
• nonfunctional
• nonfunctioning
• nonoperating

Examples of inoperable in a Sentence

a patient with inoperable cancer

The device makes the car inoperable when a key is not used to start it.

Recent Examples on the Web

But they could still be rendered inoperable if the RTK signal dropped. —Anthony Karcz, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

The Sacramento doughnut shop received a red placard and temporarily closed its doors after inspectors discovered that a toilet was inoperable. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Buildings have collapsed, roads are impassable, bridges are inoperable, and hospitals are filled. —Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025

The Port-au-Prince and Croix-des-Bouquets Courts of First Instance have also been rendered inoperable by gang attacks. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from French inopérable

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inoperable

• operable
• interoperable

Kids Definition

inoperable

adjective

in·​op·​er·​a·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl 

1

: not treatable by surgery

an inoperable cancer

2

: not in working order : inoperative

Medical Definition

inoperable

adjective

in·​op·​er·​a·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈäp-(ə-)rə-bəl 

: not treatable or remediable by or suitable for surgery

an advanced and inoperable cancer

a developing cataract still inoperable

inoperability

(ˌ)in-ˌäp-(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural inoperabilities