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inoperative

inoperative

9 5.5
Not working or not having any effect
  • adjective
  • /ɪˈnɒpərətɪv/
translation icon : inoperante
  • Valeris, inform Starfleet Command our warp drive is inoperative.

Examples

  • You may have to choose between paying to replace your inoperative smoke detector and eating.

    Blog text (13)
  • If all such restrictions were invalid, then many necessary criminal laws would suddenly become inoperative.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Communication and transport are inoperative.

  • As far as we know, all our satellites have been rendered inoperative.

  • The transponder is inoperative, Over.

  • All planetary defense systems have just gone inoperative!

  • The scanners and sensors are still inoperative.

  • Many intersections were closed because of accidents caused by inoperative traffic signals.

    Blog text (34)
  • All of the 32 elevators were inoperative because of flooding in the shafts.

    Blog text (7)
  • The air conditioning unit is inoperative, so we will have to find another way to keep cool.

Synonyms

inoperable
vsinoperative
7 7.1

You cannot use it because it does not work

can be used for temporary nonuse or lack of effect rather than incapacity
nonfunctional
vsinoperative
3 4.4

Not working or broken

is broader, covering lack of effect beyond physical breakage
nonfunctioning
vsinoperative
1 3.9

Not working and so not doing its job

can also mean lacking effect or not being legally in force
nonoperational
vsinoperative
1 4.6

Not working or currently not in use

includes that sense but also covers lacking force or validity
nonworking
vsinoperative
3.9

Not operating or being used

is wider, also meaning not valid or not having legal effect
nonoperative
vsinoperative
  • Specialized
6.5

Not working or not treated by surgery

is general, covering lack of effect or validity beyond surgical contexts
non-operating
vsinoperative
4.9

Not working now or not part of the main business activities

is more general, applying to any lack of working or effect
nonactive
vsinoperative
3.7

Is not working or taking part now

focuses more on lack of effect or legal force rather than mere inactivity
unworking
vsinoperative
5.9

Broken or not in use

adds that it can also mean lacking validity or legal effect
unfunctional
vsinoperative
8.2

Not useful for everyday tasks

is broader, covering lack of effect, validity, or working status

Antonyms

13 4.8

Working and able to produce an effect

How Functional

operational
102 4.1
functional
81 3.2
dysfunctional
96 6.1
inoperative
9 5.5
defunct
30 7.0

Surface Forms

inoperative positive

Morphology

inoperative = operative (transparent) = in + operate + ive

The adjective is formed by straightforward negating prefixation of 'operative' to mean 'not operative'.

Etymology

Inoperative is built from the part in- meaning 'not' and the root oper- meaning 'work' or 'do', the same root you see in operate and operator. So inoperative means 'not working' or 'not in force'.