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View synonyms for inoperable

inoperable

[ in-op-er-uh-buhl, -op-ruh-buhl ]

adjective

  1. not operable or practicable.
  2. Medicine/Medical. not admitting of a surgical operation because the pathological condition is not amenable to cure by surgery or because of undue risk. Compare operable ( def 1 ).


inoperable

/ -ˈɒprə-; ɪnˈɒpərəbəl /

adjective

  1. incapable of being implemented or operated; unworkable
  2. surgery not suitable for operation without risk, esp (of a malignant tumour) because metastasis has rendered surgery useless


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Derived Forms

  • inˌoperaˈbility, noun
  • inˈoperably, adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of inoperable1

First recorded in 1885–90; in- 3 + operable

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Example Sentences

Her cancer relapsed the following year with several new, inoperable brain tumors.

Ash blanketed the solar charging panels of UV spectrometers meant to measure gas, rendering them inoperable for months.

Even still, Kim said she expects supporters to move forward on a 2022 ballot measure that would strike the inoperable language from the books, for good measure.

In May 2019, my dad was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer.

Past analysis failed to control for equipment that was transferred between agencies, unused, or otherwise inoperable.

But momentum is building to force manufacturers to install ‘kill switches’ that render stolen phones inoperable.

ABC News reported Monday morning that Scott had inoperable brain cancer.

A week ago, Bill called to tell me that he had pancreatic cancer and that it was inoperable.

Similarly, at the present time, post-basic meningitis of infants is rightly deemed inoperable.

In inoperable cases benefit may follow the use of the X-rays, or of radium.

The fourth case supposes the cancer is inoperable but the child viable.

The third case is that of an inoperable cancer and an inviable child.

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