inoperative
Americanadjective
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not operative; not in operation.
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without effect.
inoperative remedies.
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no longer in effect; void; canceled.
The earlier rule is now inoperative.
adjective
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not operating
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useless or ineffective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inoperative
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ukraine's food minister, Taras Vysotskyi, has said the wave of attacks has "seriously disrupted, even rendered inoperative" the supply chains used by major retailers, which are based on centralised logistics platforms.
From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026
Goldman previously thought the Strait might be inoperative for about half that time.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 12, 2026
Kia said owners have received multiple notices on the recall by mail and that when inoperative vehicles are excluded, roughly 35% remain uncompleted.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025
The need for medical care may increase — studies found a rise in emergency department visits by older adults in the days and weeks after Hurricane Sandy — while hospitals might become inaccessible or inoperative.
From Salon ● Aug. 7, 2025
His recently increased weight and the bloating caused by the inoperative valve made any position other than standing or lying down somewhat awkward.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
