nonoperative

adjective

non·​op·​er·​a·​tive ˌnän-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce nonoperative (audio)
-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
: not involving surgery or consisting of an operation
nonoperative treatment of a fracture
nonoperative management of spinal stenosis

Examples of nonoperative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In many cases, similar or better results can be achieved using options including multidisciplinary care that includes an expert nonoperative physician, physical therapy and lifestyle interventions. Greg Licholai, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2022 Another call came in about the handrail, then a call about an emergency-exit gate at Fort Hamilton Parkway with a nonoperative magnet. Andy Newman, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2020 But behind the model are a set of assumptions about the relationship between China and the U.S. that are suddenly and dramatically nonoperative. Dan Neil, WSJ, 17 Jan. 2019 Candidates for surgery have attempted nonoperative treatments without relief of symptoms. Tj Gibson, azcentral, 9 May 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonoperative was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near nonoperative

Cite this Entry

“Nonoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonoperative. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

nonoperative

adjective
non·​op·​er·​a·​tive -ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv, -ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt- How to pronounce nonoperative (audio)
: not involving an operation
nonoperative treatment

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