inoperative
adjective
in·op·er·a·tive
(ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv 
-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
: not operative: such as
a
: not functioning
an inoperative clock
b
: having no effect or force
an inoperative law
inoperativeness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of inoperative in a Sentence
The accident had rendered the vehicle inoperative.
With the new federal law in place, the state law has become inoperative.
Recent Examples on the Web
Perhaps most notably, both sides deploy decoy vehicles—either inoperative derelicts or inflatable fakes—to draw enemy fire away from real vehicles.
—
David Axe, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
In wartime, however, the calculus changes, because most of the costs are inoperative.
—William C. Wohlforth, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021
Although there several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania, no widespread voting problems had been reported by the late afternoon.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The undercover sources were with him every step of the way, picking him up from his home, traveling to Nashville, and providing him with inoperative explosives, prosecutors said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inoperative 
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David Axe, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
In wartime, however, the calculus changes, because most of the costs are inoperative.
—William C. Wohlforth, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021
Although there several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania, no widespread voting problems had been reported by the late afternoon.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The undercover sources were with him every step of the way, picking him up from his home, traveling to Nashville, and providing him with inoperative explosives, prosecutors said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inoperative
Dictionary Entries Near inoperative
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperative. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inoperative
adjective
in·op·er·a·tive
(ˈ)in-ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv
-ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
: not functioning : producing no effect
an inoperative law
Legal Definition
inoperative
adjective
in·op·er·a·tive
i-ˈnä-pə-rə-tiv
: having no force or effect
an inoperative will
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