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 of irreparable

• irreversible
• irremediable
• irretrievable

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

To that end, the players note that the NCAA must show, among other things, a strong likelihood of success on the merits and irreparable injury, meaning one that money damages can’t remedy, absent a stay. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Newspaper cartoons portraying a grieving Sherlock Holmes capturedthe public’s sense of irreparable loss. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Filed jointly with the WGA West and East branches, the guild’s suit claims the merger violates antitrust law and would inflict irreparable harm on industry scribes. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

That fact alone can embolden an unsuspected insider, who may have the ability to cause irreparable harm. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

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