1
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment
be careful when putting your hands in even an inoperative garbage disposal
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order
looking for an expert to fix the inoperative grandfather clock
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in invalid
having no legal or binding force
the decision of the state's supreme court has rendered the law inoperative
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of inoperative
On Tuesday morning, several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Pennsylvania.
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
By June 73 per cent of the country’s thermal power generating units had been rendered inoperative.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for inoperative 
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
By June 73 per cent of the country’s thermal power generating units had been rendered inoperative.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for inoperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoperative
Adjective
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The conflict in Syria had remained deadly but largely dormant over the past several years, defined by low-level clashes between the rebels and Assad’s regime rather than dramatic changes in territory and control.Rob Picheta, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
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The shock offensive by insurgents, which began on Nov. 26, reawakened a conflict that has been largely dormant since March 2020 when Russia and Turkey mediated a ceasefire in northern Syria, CNN reported.Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Congress should reaffirm the CRA by recognizing that agency guidance is invalid unless submitted to both Congress and GAO.Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
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The 63-year-old's motion, filed Wednesday, argues that his original guilty plea to a conspiracy charge is invalid because the count was later dismissed by the court, rendering the outcome unconstitutional.Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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During these off days, Clark shot extremely well during drills.Sean Gregory, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
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Neither film is expected to open to over $20 million, in part because typically that date is often an off weekend.Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The broken glass and defaced portraits of the now fugitive president crunching under our feet.James Longman, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024
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At the hospital, Maggie unknowingly leaves a trail of blood after cutting her hand on broken glass.Jordana Comiter, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The quintet argued that ADOR’s main arguments did not explain how there were no violations in their contract and that any arguments regarding investment costs are null due to the success NewJeans had in its first two years.Jeff Benjamin, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
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Pressly’s 45th appearance of the season on Aug. 2 vested a $14 million club option for the 2025 season, but the option is null if Pressly finishes the season on the injured list.Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 17 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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However, due to an unseasonably warm year with no snow, the town is vacant and tourists have all chosen other destinations.Keith Langston, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
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With a priceless historic apartment in her family’s possession that was finally vacant after decades, the decision was clear.Linne Halpern, Architectural Digest, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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But prosecutors presented evidence showing the business was inoperable and had not taken in a single dollar.Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024
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The inoperable driver’s-side window was my fault (rolling it down when it was iced over), as was whatever went wrong with the front right wheel (hit a curb at high velocity).Brendan Leonard, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The building’s distinctive void houses the Desert Garden, where guests can enjoy light bites surrounded by desert flora.Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024
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The scripture says that His Word won’t return void.Kyle Denis, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near inoperative
Cite this Entry
“Inoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoperative. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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