inoperable

[in-op-er-uh-buhl, -op-ruh-buhl] / ɪnˈɒp ər ə bəl, -ˈɒp rə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

not operable or practicable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

impractical/impracticable infeasible unfeasible unworkable

STRONG

broken dead on the blink on the fritz out of order unusable

WEAK

unnegotiable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

feasible operable practicable

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.

He announced last year that he had been diagnosed with the cancer and was undergoing treatment to stop the spread of the inoperable disease.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

At night, after the bookstore closed, he, sometimes with the help of friends, pushed the inoperable vehicle into the lot at Quirky and slept in it.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

After Noah was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour during the Covid pandemic he underwent 74 weeks of chemotherapy.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Around then, his father sold an inoperable Dodge Dart.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

Is this headache a symptom of an inoperable brain tumor?

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

Vocabulary lists containing inoperable

I, Robot

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Salt to the Sea

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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -able, -ible

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