1
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
2
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order
looking for an expert to fix the inoperative grandfather clock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inoperative
The undercover sources were with him every step of the way, picking him up from his home, traveling to Nashville, and providing him with inoperative explosives, prosecutors said.
—
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024
On Tuesday morning, several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Pennsylvania.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
By June 73 per cent of the country’s thermal power generating units had been rendered inoperative.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
All of that will be instantly inoperative as of January 21, 2025, if not right after Election Day.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 3 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024
On Tuesday morning, several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Pennsylvania.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
By June 73 per cent of the country’s thermal power generating units had been rendered inoperative.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
All of that will be instantly inoperative as of January 21, 2025, if not right after Election Day.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 3 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
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Instead of coddling grass with irrigation and fertilizer to prevent it from going dormant, embrace this natural response.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Apr. 2025
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This allows the rooted cutting a full growing season to develop before becoming dormant in the winter.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Here is one sequence of events: U.S. legislators and the Senate pass a resolution to declare tariffs invalid.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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The association had two weeks to collect new signatures or correct invalid ones to make up the difference.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Last-minute fixes were still being made, and some Cubs players trickled into the clubhouse to put stuff in their lockers or work out on their off day.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
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Stewart’s on-field production left a lot to be desired last year, but his motor doesn’t have an off switch.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Photos taken by the Associated Press on Sunday show broken windows and a damaged door at the front of the residence.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2025
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In Okonkwo’s case, a broken wrist kept the former Arsenal ’keeper out for 11 league games.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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To reporters late Sunday evening and later on social media, Trump claimed the pardons are null because Biden had used an autopen rather than sign by hand.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA TODAY,
17 Mar. 2025
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Does her despondent demeanor and null motivation make Elsa herself an ideal pick to surrender her life?—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The 27-year-old Ennis (33-0-0-1 with 29 knockouts) won the vacant IBF interim welterweight crown in January 2023 with a unanimous decision victory over Karen Chukhadzhian.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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The now vacant patch of land is roughly a mile west of Interstate 35W, within walking distance of a post office, a gas station, a high school and miles of subdivisions.—
Jaime Moore-Carrillo,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As many as 85 valves made by the company failed at two south state stations, along with other equipment, leading them to be frequently inoperable, the complaint says .—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacramento Bee,
13 Mar. 2025
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The ransomware attack affected 30 MGM Resort properties causing immediate tremendous disruption that lasted for nine days with guests’ digital key cards inoperable, locking them out of their rooms, as well as affecting slot machines, ATMs and check in systems.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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However, the void years tacked onto it made Smith difficult to keep around, and the Lions ultimately parted ways.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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For the first time in its 157-year history, the Grand National steeplechase is declared void because of a false start.—
Iliana Limón Romero,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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