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inoperable Definition

in·op·er·able (in äpər ə bəl)

adjective

not operable; specif.,

  1. not practicable
  2. that will not practicably allow of surgical operation an inoperable cancer
  3. inoperative

inoperable Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • now: The Taliban airforce had effectively been disabled and their air defense systems were now inoperable.
  • virtually: Eventually, we had to write to the Government and tell them that the scheme was virtually inoperable.
  • totally: How could that have happened if the thrusters were totally inoperable?

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • render: Electricity supplies bombed out of action for military purposes will render sanitation systems inoperable, causing more serious health risks to the general population.
  • make: This type of virus could potentially make the computers inoperable.

Modifies a noun

  • tumor: Judy asks Hazel why she left the halfway house: Hazel tells her she has an inoperable brain tumor.
  • carcinoma: This strategy will be used in patients with advanced, inoperable, intra-abdominal carcinoma with ascites.
  • cancer: Their daughter died on Halloween night, killed by inoperable brain cancer at the age of twelve.
  • adenocarcinoma: At present, less than 10 % of persons with inoperable adenocarcinoma of the lung survive more than 5 years following diagnosis.
  • patient: Survival for inoperable patients is also longer than for those with common pancreatic cancer.
  • equipment: Maintenance Sergeant The maintenance sergeant supervises prompt recovery of damaged or inoperable equipment on the battlefield.

Used with adjective complement

  • render: These fumes are caused by doors being left open often after being rendered inoperable by trucks driving into them.
  • become: At the end of the 30 day trial period the software will become inoperable.
  • consider: Tumors that are located in the areas of the brain that control breathing, intellect or physical movement would possibly be considered inoperable.