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
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
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
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
The lander is expected to operate for 10 days before lunar nightfall plunges it into darkness, rendering the spacecraft inoperable.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
Every year, earthquakes claim victims and cost billions in direct economic loss, damaging or destroying homes, tearing down infrastructure, rendering production sites inoperable, and disrupting transport lines.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
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Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 13 Mar. 2025
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
The lander is expected to operate for 10 days before lunar nightfall plunges it into darkness, rendering the spacecraft inoperable.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
Every year, earthquakes claim victims and cost billions in direct economic loss, damaging or destroying homes, tearing down infrastructure, rendering production sites inoperable, and disrupting transport lines.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperable. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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