unrecoverable

adjective

ˌən-ri-ˈkə-və-rə-bəl How to pronounce unrecoverable (audio)
Definition of unrecoverablenext
1
as in hopeless
not capable of being cured or reformed believed that there was no such thing as an unrecoverable criminal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irreparable
not capable of being repaired, regained, or undone the flood caused unrecoverable damage to our home

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 unrecoverable This leads to what may be a unrecoverable confession from Emma that adds tension to the lead-up to their nuptials. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026 If the government stays closed, the blame will fall on those fighting to protect an agency operating at an unrecoverable trust deficit, pushing out transparent propaganda that Republican politicians are struggling to coherently defend. — Logan McMillen, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2026 Time is scarce and unrecoverable, unlike money. — Brian Page, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025 The contamination can lead to catastrophic engine failure, resulting in a vehicle fire or an unexpected and unrecoverable loss of propulsion. — James Powel, USA Today, 17 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unrecoverable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrecoverable
  1. hopeless
  2. irreparable
  3. irrecoverable
  4. irreversible
  5. irretrievable
  6. incurable
Adjective
  • This latest attempt to move, a hopeless punt to have his contract annulled in order to leave on a free sooner, will likely see anger return at Selhurst Park on Friday night against Manchester City.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Ever the hopeless romantic, Ted searches for the love of his life through a constant series of twists, turns, diversions, blue French horns, slap bets, and yellow umbrellas.
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • Recent research showed that overreliance on groundwater during the drought caused irreparable harm to the county’s aquifers.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Those issues go to irreparable harm, meaning a harm that can’t be remedied by money, which plays an important role in the litigation.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of irreparable
Adjective
  • 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
Definition of irrecoverable
Adjective
  • None of this is irreversible, which is precisely why the CDC’s complacency is so hard to forgive.
    — A.J. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Dimensions | Getty Millions of people roll money from a workplace retirement plan to an individual retirement account each year — and mistakes can prove both costly and irreversible.
    — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 24 Aug. 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
  • Additionally, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, underwent a lung transplant in June after being diagnosed in 2018 with chronic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung condition.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Metastatic breast cancer remains incurable, and treatment generally continues with the goals of controlling the disease, extending life, managing symptoms and preserving quality of life.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of incurable

Browse Nearby Words

unrecorded
unrecoverable
unredeemable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unrecoverable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrecoverable. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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