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
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
In these conditions, if the ABS falsely activates and a specific sequence of wheel movements occur, the vehicle’s ABS system will continue to release braking pressure, which can reduce stopping performance or the service brakes can become inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash, Acura said.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
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
In these conditions, if the ABS falsely activates and a specific sequence of wheel movements occur, the vehicle’s ABS system will continue to release braking pressure, which can reduce stopping performance or the service brakes can become inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash, Acura said.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
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While her blood was found inside the vehicle, there was no other trace of her and her bank accounts remained dormant.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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For a true super bloom to occur, a high proportion of seeds that have remained dormant and built up in soil over several years must bloom at once.—
Mae Hamilton,
AFAR Media,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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President Donald Trump wrote on Monday that Biden's pardons for the January 6 committee are invalid because they were signed with an autopen.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
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And on Sunday, the president amplified the threat against the Jan. 6 investigators, saying their pardons were invalid because Biden had used an autopen to sign them.—
Mychael Schnell,
The Hill,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Alcaraz, who lives his best life at Indian Wells, playing golf on his off days and pummeling his opponent, chalked up the slow start and the loss to having fallen into the trap of thinking too much about his opponent rather than focusing on himself.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
16 Mar. 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,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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She was discovered near a Dubai road with several injuries, including a broken spine and multiple broken limbs, per the outlet.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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Some situations, like a loose or broken hose, can be fixed relatively easily by the average DIYer, but washing machines also have a series of internal hoses, seals, and fixtures that could need to be tightened, repaired, or replaced by an appliance repair professional.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 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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Two other seats were left vacant when Democratic lawmakers died.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
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Council members March 25 voted unanimously to rezone a vacant property on the west side of Montgomery for high-intensity mixed-use development, a designation allowing combinations of apartments, hotels and retail spaces.—
Jaime Moore-Carrillo,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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When the homeowner attempted to use a portable fire extinguisher, it was found to be inoperable, officials said.—
Cale Ahearn,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Mar. 2025
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There are holes in the wooden entrance ramp, and the mill’s drive shaft, which powered the structure, has been inoperable since a 2016 flood.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Trump claims pardons for those on the bipartisan congressional Jan. 6 committee are void, therefore potentially opening the door toward a justification for investigation.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
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With the department in upheaval, servicers may face a leadership void and unclear directives.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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