Irretrievable
adjective
Something that cannot be fixed, recovered, or regained when it is lost or destroyed.
He made an irretrievable mistake that cost him his job.
Often appears as...
- irretrievable mistake
- irretrievable loss
adjective
Something that cannot be changed or reversed.
The court ruled her estranged husband's conduct constituted 'irretrievable breakdown' of their marriage.
Often appears as...
- irretrievable breakdown
- irretrievable breach
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
adjective
Something that cannot be fixed, recovered, or regained when it is lost or destroyed.
He made an irretrievable mistake that cost him his job.
Often appears as...
- irretrievable mistake
- irretrievable loss
adjective
Something that cannot be changed or reversed.
The court ruled her estranged husband's conduct constituted 'irretrievable breakdown' of their marriage.
Often appears as...
- irretrievable breakdown
- irretrievable breach
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Non-reversible Actions
Use 'irretrievable' when an action cannot be undone, often leading to serious consequences.
After the irretrievable error, the scientific data was lost forever.
Pro Tip 2/3Finality and Loss
'Irretrievable' often implies a sense of final loss, something that cannot come back.
The loss of the ancient artifacts is an irretrievable tragedy for the cultural community.
Pro Tip 3/3Strong Emotion
'Irretrievable' can convey strong emotions, often of regret or sorrow, about the lost item or opportunity.
Her heirloom was irretrievably lost in the fire, leaving her heartbroken.
Pro Tip 1/3Non-reversible Actions
Use 'irretrievable' when an action cannot be undone, often leading to serious consequences.
After the irretrievable error, the scientific data was lost forever.
Pro Tip 2/3Finality and Loss
'Irretrievable' often implies a sense of final loss, something that cannot come back.
The loss of the ancient artifacts is an irretrievable tragedy for the cultural community.
Pro Tip 3/3Strong Emotion
'Irretrievable' can convey strong emotions, often of regret or sorrow, about the lost item or opportunity.
Her heirloom was irretrievably lost in the fire, leaving her heartbroken.
Pro Tip 1/3Non-reversible Actions
Use 'irretrievable' when an action cannot be undone, often leading to serious consequences.
After the irretrievable error, the scientific data was lost forever.
Pro Tip 2/3Finality and Loss
'Irretrievable' often implies a sense of final loss, something that cannot come back.
The loss of the ancient artifacts is an irretrievable tragedy for the cultural community.
Pro Tip 3/3Strong Emotion
'Irretrievable' can convey strong emotions, often of regret or sorrow, about the lost item or opportunity.
Her heirloom was irretrievably lost in the fire, leaving her heartbroken.
Never forget "Irretrievable"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
A stealthy reimagining...
It would be a meditation on the unprecedented speed of change of the postindustrial city, its winners and losers. And it would embody a sense of nostalgia we feel for an irretrievable past and apprehension about an alienating future.
Video examples
A stealthy reimagining...
It would be a meditation on the unprecedented speed of change of the postindustrial city, its winners and losers. And it would embody a sense of nostalgia we feel for an irretrievable past and apprehension about an alienating future.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Bjorn Borg
Swedish Athlete
My greatest point is my persistence. I never give up in a match. However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into victories.
Quote examples
Bjorn Borg
Swedish Athlete
My greatest point is my persistence. I never give up in a match. However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into victories.
Example 1 of 1
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension