irretrievable

adjective

ir·​re·​triev·​able ˌir-i-ˈtrē-və-bəl How to pronounce irretrievable (audio)
: not retrievable : impossible to regain or recover
irretrievability noun
irretrievably adverb

Examples of irretrievable in a Sentence

The data was irretrievable after the computer crashed. the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage
Recent Examples on the Web Once deleted, users can also manually empty the trash folder, making those files and communications irretrievable and truly deleted from the online platform. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 Going into Comic-Con, Marvel really did need to reaffirm its swagger, to prove 2023 was a momentary ebb rather than the start of an irretrievable decline. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 28 July 2024 Until then, the damage to the New York business community and to the rule of law is irretrievable. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024 Given enough machinery and labor, roads were not irretrievable after all. Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for irretrievable 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irretrievable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irretrievable was in 1702

Dictionary Entries Near irretrievable

Cite this Entry

“Irretrievable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irretrievable. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

irretrievable

adjective
ir·​re·​triev·​able ˌir-i-ˈtrē-və-bəl How to pronounce irretrievable (audio)
: not capable of being recovered, regained, or remedied
irretrievably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irretrievable

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