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
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
Bell decided that Liam would have an inoperable brain tumor, and called Clifton into his office to explain the decision, Clifton told Soap Opera Digest.
—
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Accidentally deploying one is considered a serious mistake, as each slide can cost tens of thousands of dollars to repack and replace, and often renders the aircraft temporarily inoperable.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The Nissan went into the median, going airborne and ramping off a hill, becoming inoperable, according to the probable cause statement.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
For instance, Bates reportedly did not turn over all of the next messages sought by Reid’s attorneys, and surveillance footage from a camera a government witness said was inoperable was disclosed by the government just before the trial began, the station reported.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
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Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Accidentally deploying one is considered a serious mistake, as each slide can cost tens of thousands of dollars to repack and replace, and often renders the aircraft temporarily inoperable.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The Nissan went into the median, going airborne and ramping off a hill, becoming inoperable, according to the probable cause statement.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
For instance, Bates reportedly did not turn over all of the next messages sought by Reid’s attorneys, and surveillance footage from a camera a government witness said was inoperable was disclosed by the government just before the trial began, the station reported.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoperable
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperable. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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