irrecoverable

adjective

ˌir-i-ˈkə-v(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce irrecoverable (audio)
Definition of irrecoverablenext
1
as in hopeless
not capable of being cured or reformed unfortunately, he was destined to live out his days as an irrecoverable alcoholic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irreversible
not capable of being repaired, regained, or undone one computer file proved to be irrecoverable after the crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of irrecoverable Countless documents were left lying out in the open and quickly became irrecoverable. — Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026 At the same time, much of the world is facing water bankruptcy, meaning people and industries are using more fresh water than nature can replenish, leading to irrecoverable ecosystem damages. — Abraham Nunbogu, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026 An irrecoverable loss of the entirety of our personal data. — Shannon Bond, NPR, 11 Mar. 2026 Broadly speaking, this is probably not irrecoverable damage to the ecosystem. — Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 5 Jan. 2026 Crestfallen fans have begun demanding refunds for hundreds of dollars in ticket purchases to defray irrecoverable travel and lodging costs. — Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 11 July 2025 Customs Duties are irrecoverable whereas VAT paid by a business can in principle be reclaimed, but not always. — Robert Marchant, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irrecoverable
  1. hopeless
  2. irreversible
  3. irretrievable
  4. irreparable
  5. unrecoverable
  6. incurable
Adjective
  • Michael Johnston plays Bear, a music store employee who has a hopeless crush on his co-worker Nikki.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Waymo’s fleet of autonomous taxis has garnered a reputation for causing mayhem on public streets, from trapping drivers in hours of hopeless gridlock to driving into oncoming traffic.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 8 July 2026
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • The second half follows the next generation of Buendías as progress and modernity reshape the town, sending Macondo on an irreversible path toward decline – and the fulfillment of its long-foretold curse.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • That pressure can turn years of savings into an irreversible transfer.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of irreversible
Adjective
  • That probably makes the loss of faith among England fans irretrievable.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • The message had found us, against steep odds, but the meaning was irretrievable.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of irretrievable
Adjective
  • Adult moths lay eggs on fabric, and the larvae voraciously feed on the material, causing irreparable damage to textiles.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026
  • The lawsuit states that Kuka has singlehandedly caused irreparable harm to Boca View by refusing to abide by Florida law and the association’s own bylaws in order to further her self-serving agenda.
    — Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of irreparable
Adjective
  • If the answer involves customer harm, regulatory exposure or unrecoverable decisions, AI as autonomy is being requested at the wrong scope.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The business also has made Space Shuttle drag parachutes for the orbiter, and parachutes that deploy from the tails of F-22 and F-35 military jets to break them from unrecoverable stalls or spins.
    — Pat Maio, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Definition of unrecoverable
Adjective
  • Sullenberger is the second major Bay Area celebrity in the past month to reveal he’s been diagnosed with the incurable disorder, which, over time, slows a person’s movements, memory and speech.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
  • At that time, she was given 12 to 18 months to live and was told that her cancer was incurable.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Definition of incurable

Browse Nearby Words

irreconcilable
irrecoverable
irredeemable
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Cite this Entry

“Irrecoverable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irrecoverable. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on irrecoverable

Nglish: Translation of irrecoverable for Spanish Speakers

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