irreversible

adjective

ir·​re·​vers·​ible ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-bəl How to pronounce irreversible (audio)
Synonyms of irreversiblenext
: not reversible
irreversibility noun
irreversibly adverb

Synonyms of irreversible

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
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.
Dark or Brightly Colored Clothing Lemon juice can have a bit of a bleaching effect on dark and brightly colored clothing and textiles, leading to irreversible color loss. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025 More people own crypto, and because crypto transactions are irreversible, individuals and exchanges are increasingly becoming targets. Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025 That shift would train audiences to expect movies at home first, theaters second — an irreversible change in consumer behavior that no future studio could undo. Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025 At every step of the process, his doctors offered him a range of options and were clear about the long-term health risks and, importantly, when certain treatments would be irreversible. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irreversible

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irreversible was in 1630

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irreversible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreversible. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

irreversible

adjective
ir·​re·​vers·​ible ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-bəl How to pronounce irreversible (audio)
: impossible to reverse
an irreversible chemical reaction
irreversible damage
irreversibility noun
irreversibly adverb

Medical Definition

irreversible

adjective
ir·​re·​vers·​ible ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-bəl How to pronounce irreversible (audio)
: 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 noun
plural irreversibilities
irreversibly adverb

Legal Definition

irreversible

adjective
ir·​re·​ver·​si·​ble ˌir-rə-ˈvər-sə-bəl How to pronounce irreversible (audio)
: not reversible
an irreversible decision

More from Merriam-Webster on irreversible

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