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
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
On Tuesday morning, several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Pennsylvania.
—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
See all Example Sentences for inoperative 
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Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024
On Tuesday morning, several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Pennsylvania.
—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
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 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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