irrecoverable

adjective

ir·​re·​cov·​er·​able ˌir-i-ˈkə-v(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce irrecoverable (audio)
: not capable of being recovered or rectified : irreparable
an irrecoverable loss
irrecoverableness noun
irrecoverably adverb

Examples of irrecoverable in a Sentence

unfortunately, he was destined to live out his days as an irrecoverable alcoholic one computer file proved to be irrecoverable after the crash
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The contents of the time capsule may become irrecoverable. Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 Half of it goes to the nearby Hardy River, in an attempt to revive ecosystems that were thought to be irrecoverable. Geraldine Castro, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025 During the Kursk operation, the enemy has already lost over 38,000 soldiers in this single direction alone, with approximately 15,000 of them irrecoverable losses. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 This kind of situation occurs when irrecoverable past investments drive decisions, even when those costs are irrelevant to future outcomes. Shanna Apitz, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 During the Kursk operation, the enemy has already lost over 38,000 soldiers in this single direction alone, with approximately 15,000 of them irrecoverable losses. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 This kind of situation occurs when irrecoverable past investments drive decisions, even when those costs are irrelevant to future outcomes. Shanna Apitz, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 The damage done by Biden-Harris is not irrecoverable. Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2024 In Germany, bad debt relief requires that the debt is considered irrecoverable, assessed based on the individual facts of each case. Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irrecoverable was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Irrecoverable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irrecoverable. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

irrecoverable

adjective
ir·​re·​cov·​er·​able ˌir-i-ˈkəv-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce irrecoverable (audio)
: not capable of being recovered or made right
an irrecoverable loss
irrecoverably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irrecoverable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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