Inoperable

adj

adj ·5 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Incapable of being successfully operated on. not-comparable
  2. 2
    Incapable of operation or function; inoperative. not-comparable

    "MPower Kernow will clear and repair the currently inoperable turntable - allowing steam locomotives to be turned in Cornwall again and opening up the potential for new charter operations."

Adjective
  1. 1
    not suitable for surgery wordnet
  2. 2
    not able to perform its normal function wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
beyond onebeyond recallbeyond remedycurelessdufffunctionless

Example

More examples

"That could include smashing mixing equipment with sledgehammers, blowing up delivery missiles, driving tanks over empty shells or filling them with concrete, and running machines without lubricant so they seize up and become inoperable."

Etymology

From in- + operable.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.