Home/Rootonym/Not working, performing, functioning or exerting force or influence; being ineffective (adjective)
Not working, performing, functioning or exerting force or influence; being ineffective (adjective)
USA Today Rootonym clue · 11 letters · last seen August 26, 2026
Answer
INOPERATIVE
The Root
OPERmeans “work”
In a sentence: Don's car is INOPERATIVE because the mechanic has not yet located parts for the repair.
About this clue
The Rootonym clue “Not working, performing, functioning or exerting force or influence; being ineffective (adjective)” has the answer INOPERATIVE (11 letters), built on the root OPER, which means “work”. See the full August 26, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or browse all Rootonym answers.