irreparable

adjective

ir·​rep·​a·​ra·​ble i-ˈre-p(ə-)rə-bəl 

ˌi(r)-,

also nonstandard

ˌir-(r)ə-ˈper-ə-bəl 

: not reparable : irremediable

irreparable damage

irreparableness noun

irreparably

i-ˈre-p(ə-)rə-blē 

ˌi(r)-

 also nonstandard  ˌir-(r)ə-ˈper-ə-blē

adverb

Synonyms

• irrecoverable
• irredeemable
• irremediable
• irretrievable
• irreversible
• unrecoverable
• unredeemable

Examples of irreparable in a Sentence

The oil spill did irreparable harm to the bay.

The damage to their relationship was irreparable.

Recent Examples on the Web

As Trump’s trade war has escalated, investors have feared that the United States could inflict significant damage to the global economy — but even more harm to its own economy and perhaps irreparable damage to its own reputation. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025

In a 120-page ruling, the judge stated that the plaintiffs had demonstrated the proof-of-citizenship requirement would inflict irreparable harm on their clients and run counter to the public interest. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

Cultural officials described the damage as irreparable. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025

Manion said that if the appellate court did not pause Reyes’s order, Trump and Hegseth would suffer irreparable harm by remaining unable to enforce a crucial military policy. —Ashley Oliver, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin irreparabilis, from in- + reparabilis reparable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for irreparable

• separable
• inseparable

Kids Definition

irreparable

adjective

ir·​rep·​a·​ra·​ble (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ep-(ə-)rə-bəl 

: not capable of being repaired or regained

an irreparable loss

irreparably

-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

irreparable

adjective

ir·​rep·​a·​ra·​ble i-ˈre-pə-rə-bəl, -prə-bəl 

: impossible to repair, remedy, or undo

irreparably adverb