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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
Synonyms
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
Wind and rain were still whipping hard, and now cellphone service had ceased, making their map apps inoperable.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
With this ruling, the frustration over inoperable ice cream dispensers may soon end.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Oct. 2024
Huge numbers of men were swept up in the two-week-long raid, which left the hospital destroyed and inoperable.
—Mick Krever, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024
House Republicans are asking the Homeland Security Department to provide details on inoperable surveillance cameras along the US southern border.
—Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 22 Oct. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
probably from French inopérable
First Known Use
1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near inoperable
Cite this Entry
“Inoperable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoperable. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on inoperable
Nglish: Translation of inoperable for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of inoperable for Arabic Speakers
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