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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
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
All told, those properties were issued roughly 50 violations, according to city records, for violations including overgrowth, junk and inoperable cars parked on the properties.
—Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
The study at six hospitals across Japan is designed to give hope to patients, their families and healthcare professionals, and will follow the survival outcomes of 90 patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer, with 30 undergoing chemotherapy alone and 60 undergoing chemotherapy and HIFU therapy.
—Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
More than likely, TikTok would just become inoperable on your phone as more and more services drop support.
—Chloe Albanesius, PCMAG, 9 Jan. 2025
Some residents and business owners reported that beads frequently fall into the tracks rendering the devices temporarily inoperable.
—NBC News, 4 Jan. 2025
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Word History
Etymology
probably from French inopérable
First Known Use
1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near inoperable
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperable. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on inoperable
Nglish: Translation of inoperable for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of inoperable for Arabic Speakers
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