as in small
formal
not able to be made smaller or simpler
They thought the world was made up of four irreducible elements: earth, air, fire, and water. an irreducible fraction
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Recent Examples of irreducible
Slightness in such instances means irreducible.
—
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The most basic and irreducible requirements of meaningful transformations push against our wiring because big changes to form and structure introduce complexity, require time, and are defined by paradox.
—Brené Brown, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
The Doomsday Clock is also political, picturing conditions that collectively contribute to the irreducible reality of a world in peril.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Policymakers should challenge the presumption that there is an irreducible tradeoff between data analysis and privacy—the notion that although more data may improve the accuracy of models for the public good, the cost to privacy is too high.
—Andrew Imbrie, Foreign Affairs, 19 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for irreducible
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The most basic and irreducible requirements of meaningful transformations push against our wiring because big changes to form and structure introduce complexity, require time, and are defined by paradox.
—Brené Brown, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
The Doomsday Clock is also political, picturing conditions that collectively contribute to the irreducible reality of a world in peril.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Policymakers should challenge the presumption that there is an irreducible tradeoff between data analysis and privacy—the notion that although more data may improve the accuracy of models for the public good, the cost to privacy is too high.
—Andrew Imbrie, Foreign Affairs, 19 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for irreducible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreducible
Adjective
-
Ceija Stojka’s small paintings at the Drawing Center swarm with such harrowing incident that viewers may not spot the mystery in the bottom right corner of many of her canvases.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Pistons are small favorites on the road for Game 3.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While that’s painful for house hunters, note that the surge was the 18th-smallest among states and trailed the 93% jump nationally.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Snitker managed numerous minor-league clubs over the years, including Richmond, Mississippi, Durham and Macon.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Any minor spills or leaks within this storage area are expected to be contained within the basement level.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irreducible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreducible. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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