inoperative
adjective
in·op·er·a·tive (ˌ)in-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv 
-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
: not operative: such as
a
: not functioning
an inoperative clock
b
: having no effect or force
an inoperative law
inoperativeness noun
Synonyms
- dead
- dormant
- fallow
- free
- idle
- inactive
- inert
- latent
- off
- unused
- vacant
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The accident had rendered the vehicle inoperative. With the new federal law in place, the state law has become inoperative.
Recent Examples on the Web The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. 
Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2022 The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. Detroit Free Press, 26 Aug. 2022 The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse. USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2022 Based on the variety of analytical tools used to evaluate the performance of these motors in the field, reports of inoperative motors are expected to continue. Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2022 By December, the InSight team expects the lander to have become inoperative. Julia Musto, Fox News, 18 May 2022 The wood is peeling, the leather is cracked, power antenna, air horns, and radio are inoperative, and the power windows work only intermittently. Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 20 Apr. 2022 One of the Mac Studio's two SSD slots is inoperative in some configurations because of a missing SSD controller. Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 22 Mar. 2022 See More
Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2022 The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. Detroit Free Press, 26 Aug. 2022 The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse. USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2022 Based on the variety of analytical tools used to evaluate the performance of these motors in the field, reports of inoperative motors are expected to continue. Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2022 By December, the InSight team expects the lander to have become inoperative. Julia Musto, Fox News, 18 May 2022 The wood is peeling, the leather is cracked, power antenna, air horns, and radio are inoperative, and the power windows work only intermittently. Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 20 Apr. 2022 One of the Mac Studio's two SSD slots is inoperative in some configurations because of a missing SSD controller. Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 22 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1631, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
inoperative
adjective
in·op·er·a·tive i-ˈnä-pə-rə-tiv
: having no force or effect
an inoperative will
inoperative
adjective
1
as in dormant
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment be careful when putting your hands in even an inoperative garbage disposal Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dormant
- off
- vacant
- idle
- unused
- inert
- dead
- inactive
- latent
- at rest
- suspended
- fallow
- free
- unusable
- useless
- out of commission
- inoperable
- unoccupied
- interrupted
- asleep
- on the shelf
- arrested
- lifeless
- unworkable
- quiescent
- moribund
- comatose
- slow
- abeyant
- sleepy
- dull
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- operating
- operative
- active
- functioning
- operational
- operable
- functional
- employed
- on
- busy
- alive
- working
- workable
- living
- going
- useful
- running
- practical
- feasible
- viable
- industrious
- usable
- vigorous
- energetic
- assiduous
- useable
- sedulous
2
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order looking for an expert to fix the inoperative grandfather clock Synonyms & Similar Words
- malfunctioning
- inoperable
- broken
- nonfunctional
- nonfunctioning
- down
- nonoperating
- useless
- kaput
- kaputt
- off
- out of commission
- unusable
- on the fritz
- on the blink
- ineffective
- unworkable
- deactivated
- ineffectual
- deadlocked
- unproductive
- nonproductive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- operating
- operative
- operational
- functioning
- functional
- operable
- working
- effective
- useful
- viable
- usable
- effectual
- workable
- operant
- running
- productive
- producing
- useable
- serving
- employable
- performing
3
as in invalid
having no legal or binding force the decision of the state's supreme court has rendered the law inoperative Synonyms & Similar Words
- invalid
- void
- null
- nugatory
- illegal
- useless
- worthless
- null and void
- bad
- ineffective
- nonbinding
- nonvalid
- ineffectual
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- valid
- good
- legal
- binding
- working