Skip to main content
nonoperational

nonoperational

6.9
Not taking part in military actions
  • adjective
  • /ˌnɒnˌɒpəˈreɪʃənl/
  • Jargon
translation icon : no operativo
  • During peacetime, several military assets were declared nonoperational.

Examples

  • The nonoperational units were kept in reserve for future missions.

  • Many troops remained nonoperational while awaiting orders from high command.

  • More than a quarter of a century ago, Michael Howard pointed out that, in modern war, one can no longer ignore the nonoperational dimensions of strategy.

    Academic text (2003)

Synonyms

inactive
vsnonoperational
16 3.0

Not taking part in an activity, job, or group

refers to not being active in military operations or duties at present
nonbelligerent
vsnonoperational
  • Specialized
8.3

A country or group not taking part in a war

focuses on avoiding participation in military operations and activities rather than warfare
noninvolved
vsnonoperational
5.5

Not taking part in something, for example a meeting or argument

applies specifically to not taking part in military actions or duties
nonactive
vsnonoperational
3.7

Is not working or taking part now

means not engaged in military operations even if systems or units exist

Antonyms

operational
  • Specialized
30 5.1

About military action or missions

How Engaged

engaged
3.4
nonoperational
  • Jargon
6.9
uninvolved
5 4.5

Surface Forms

nonoperational positive

Morphology

nonoperational = operational (transparent) = non + operational

The military sense is a straightforward negation of 'operational' (not participating in operations) using the productive prefix 'non-'.

Etymology

Nonoperational is made of non- 'not' and operation 'planned action', a word you know from a 'military operation' or a hospital 'operation'. So, in a military sense, nonoperational means 'not taking part in military action'.