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

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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
  • Yet their portrait of the artist as a hopeless snot-nosed punk doesn’t seem interested in knowing who this guy was past being another dude in search of a purpose.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Echoing her sentiments, Shaharier remembered feeling hopeless when his baby boy was born so early.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • The wounds pose the risk of irreparable damage, secondary infection, sepsis, and, in extreme cases, death.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In law, irreparable harm means an injury that monetary damages cannot fully remedy.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 July 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
  • Key Takeaways Taking more than 40 milligrams of zinc daily for long periods can cause copper deficiency and damage the nervous system, causing irreversible issues like numbness, muscle weakness, and vision problems.
    — Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Of the ongoing, cumulative, and irreversible harms to the environment, Roberts said nothing.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 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
  • Adults with cancers considered incurable a generation ago are in remission years after a single infusion.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Since the mid-2000s, Krukow has been battling inclusion body myositis, a rare, progressive and incurable muscle disease.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 6 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unrecoverable

Nglish: Translation of unrecoverable for Spanish Speakers

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