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no longer in effect; void; canceled.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
- inoperativeness noun
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.
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 Automated Surface Observing Station, which provides weather data to pilots, was "inoperative at the time of the accident due to an unrelated power surge".
From BBC • May 23, 2025
Having been married over 20 years, my dating skills were thin, the red flags inoperative.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2025
And with the phones down, with 911 inoperative, there was virtually no way to alert anyone.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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.
