irretrievable

adjective

ir·​re·​triev·​able ˌir-i-ˈtrē-və-bəl 

: not retrievable : impossible to regain or recover

irretrievability

ˌir-i-ˌtrē-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

irretrievably

ˌir-i-ˈtrē-və-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• hopeless
• incorrigible
• incurable
• irrecoverable
• irredeemable
• irreformable
• irremediable
• unrecoverable
• unredeemable

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

Choi seems to be exploring, if subtly, the limitless number of paths a person can take, the manifold consequences of choices that seem inconsequential, the ways interpersonal disputes can widen into irretrievable losses, the awkward intersections of agency and fate: If only this, if not for that. —Book Marks june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025

This prevents the irretrievable loss of expertise during transitions. —Nick Hart, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

There is a genuinely irretrievable, ephemeral, low-res version of the movie. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 17 May 2025

No fault did not require blame allowing a divorce if one spouse claimed irreconcilable differences or irretrievable breakdown against the other. —Patricia Fersch, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for irretrievable

• achievable
• believable
• conceivable
• perceivable
• receivable
• retrievable
• inconceivable
• unbelievable

Kids Definition

irretrievable

adjective

ir·​re·​triev·​able ˌir-i-ˈtrē-və-bəl 

: not capable of being recovered, regained, or remedied

irretrievably

-blē 

adverb