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

Synonyms

• down
• inoperative
• kaput
• kaputt
• malfunctioning
• nonfunctional
• nonfunctioning
• nonoperating

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 letter also claims that sources told the committee that 66 percent of the cameras were inoperable — a much higher figure than the one cited in the Border Patrol memo reported by NBC News. —Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2024

But according to the internal memo, 30% were inoperable. —Julia Ainsley, NBC News, 14 Oct. 2024

Thirteen utility companies that operate public water systems have reported problems; two of them were destroyed and are inoperable, Sheehan said. —NBC News, 1 Oct. 2024

The climate data facility is inoperable because water and electricity services in the region have entirely broken down due to flooding. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from French inopérable

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

inoperability

(ˌ)in-ˌäp-(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural inoperabilities