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
All of that will be instantly inoperative as of January 21, 2025, if not right after Election Day.
—
Rich Lowry, National Review, 3 Sep. 2024
In these conditions, if the ABS falsely activates and a specific sequence of wheel movements occur, the vehicle’s ABS system will continue to release braking pressure, which can reduce stopping performance or the service brakes can become inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash, Acura said.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024
As inoperative McDonald's soft-serve ice-cream machines became a national punchline, tech startup Kytch developed a device that helped McDonald's franchises get their machines back online.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 21 July 2024
As a result, roughly one-fourth of the pumps in the region were inoperative within 12 months of installation.
—Marco Bertini,
jean-Manuel Izaret,
richard Hutchinson, Harvard Business Review, 17 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inoperative 
Rich Lowry, National Review, 3 Sep. 2024
In these conditions, if the ABS falsely activates and a specific sequence of wheel movements occur, the vehicle’s ABS system will continue to release braking pressure, which can reduce stopping performance or the service brakes can become inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash, Acura said.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024
As inoperative McDonald's soft-serve ice-cream machines became a national punchline, tech startup Kytch developed a device that helped McDonald's franchises get their machines back online.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 21 July 2024
As a result, roughly one-fourth of the pumps in the region were inoperative within 12 months of installation.
—Marco Bertini,
jean-Manuel Izaret,
richard Hutchinson, Harvard Business Review, 17 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inoperative
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inoperative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inoperative
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperative. Accessed 4 Nov. 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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