as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose
the historic wooden ship has been fully restored and is once again an operable seafaring vessel
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Recent Examples of operable
The revival of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa brings the total number of reactors in Japan currently restarted to 15, out of the 33 reactors that remain operable after the shutdown of Japan’s entire fleet of 54 reactors in the wake of TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi reactor meltdown in 2011.
—
Reuters, NBC news, 21 Jan. 2026
ATMs at banks should remain operable.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Under federal law, a low-speed electric bicycle must have operable pedals, a motor no stronger than 750 watts, and a top speed of 20 mph when powered solely by the motor.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
As part of his state probation, he is also barred from being within 25 feet of any operable aircraft.
—John Capell, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operable
Reuters, NBC news, 21 Jan. 2026
ATMs at banks should remain operable.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Under federal law, a low-speed electric bicycle must have operable pedals, a motor no stronger than 750 watts, and a top speed of 20 mph when powered solely by the motor.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
As part of his state probation, he is also barred from being within 25 feet of any operable aircraft.
—John Capell, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operable
Adjective
-
April itself may feel too full for an extended escape, but don't overlook what's available close by.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
An update for that spot was not immediately available Friday.—
Jenna Thompson
March 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That's unusual for a drone in this category and genuinely useful for anyone shooting in tight spaces or urban environments.—
Omar Kardoudi
March 27,
New Atlas,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Fortunately, Darwin has a big brain to go with all those useful legs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operable. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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