irreversible

adjective

ir·​re·​vers·​ible ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-bəl 

: not reversible

irreversibility

ˌir-i-ˌvər-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

irreversibly

ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of irreversible

• irreparable

Examples of irreversible in a Sentence

He suffered an irreversible loss of vision.

The crisis has done irreversible harm to the countries' relations.

Recent Examples on the Web

Key Takeaways Taking more than 40 milligrams of zinc daily for long periods can cause copper deficiency and damage the nervous system, causing irreversible issues like numbness, muscle weakness, and vision problems. — Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2026

Of the ongoing, cumulative, and irreversible harms to the environment, Roberts said nothing. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Once symptoms are present, irreversible neurological damage has already been done. — Brad Quick, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Do not make an irreversible decision based only on what a privacy feature promises. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for irreversible

• dispersible
• reversible
• submersible
• nonreimbursable
• reimbursable

Kids Definition

irreversible

adjective

ir·​re·​vers·​ible ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-bəl 

: impossible to reverse

an irreversible chemical reaction

irreversible damage

irreversibility

-ˌvər-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

irreversibly

-ˈvər-sə-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

irreversible

adjective

ir·​re·​vers·​ible ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-bəl 

: incapable of being reversed : not reversible

an irreversible medical procedure

: as

a

: impossible to make run or take place backward

irreversible chemical syntheses

b

of a colloid : incapable of undergoing transformation from sol to gel or vice versa

c

of a pathological process : of such severity that recovery is impossible

irreversible brain damage

irreversibility

-ˌvər-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural irreversibilities

irreversibly

-ˈvər-sə-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

irreversible

adjective

ir·​re·​ver·​si·​ble ˌir-rə-ˈvər-sə-bəl 

: not reversible

an irreversible decision