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
The experimental Type 092 is now inoperable and is replaced by its more advanced successor, the Type 094, the Federation of American Scientists wrote in a report in March.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
State investigators found numerous violations there, including a rat infestation, medications not being properly administered, inoperable emergency pull cords in some bedrooms and neglected residents.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
One project, spearheaded by a staffer now on administrative leave, according to Ortiz, sought to relocate a wastewater treatment plant in Richwood, W.V., that has been basically inoperable since a 2016 flood.
—Alana Semuels, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
State investigators found numerous violations there, including a rat infestation, medications not being properly administered, inoperable emergency pull cords in some bedrooms and neglected residents.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
One project, spearheaded by a staffer now on administrative leave, according to Ortiz, sought to relocate a wastewater treatment plant in Richwood, W.V., that has been basically inoperable since a 2016 flood.
—Alana Semuels, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperable. Accessed 24 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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