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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
  • There certainly are elements of both, but the Cleveland offense was hopeless.
    — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
  • In any case, the epilogue sticks the landing and allows audiences to leave the theater feeling riled up rather than hopeless.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • As part of that sentencing process, the families of those who were killed will have a chance to speak about the irreparable harm done to them — which will inevitably bring about a reopening of the wounds of loss and tragedy.
    — Sharon Risher, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • To determine whether one side or the other will suffer irreparable harm.
    — John E. Jones III, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 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
  • What mattered was making sure the initial choice never became irreversible, so an organization could change models as its scale and requirements evolved.
    — Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • One character’s private moral failure ripples outward into mass death, public catastrophe, and irreversible damage for all surrounding him.
    — Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of irreversible
Adjective
  • The manufacturer of NarcX+ states that medications become irretrievable in less than two hours, and consuming any of the NarcX+ liquid will cause vomiting.
    — Sunny Linnebur, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • That probably makes the loss of faith among England fans irretrievable.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of irretrievable
Adjective
  • In July, French lawmakers backed a similar bill to allow adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • She was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, an incurable lung condition that led to her wearing a nasal cannula, or oxygen breathing tube, for some public appearances before her transplant.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 2026.

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