irreducible

Definition of irreduciblenext
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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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 irreducible While reading for cinematography, editing, and sound are all meaningful aspects of film criticism, the star is perhaps the only filmic element previously irreducible to purely digital forms. — Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026 Because the tree should be irreducible, there is no circumstance where n2 can exist, so n2 = 0. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for irreducible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreducible
Adjective
  • Comparing households aged 72 and older in 2022 with those aged 75 and older in 2025, Maggiulli calculated a smaller—but still substantial—21% increase.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The development could help make optical atomic clocks smaller and more suitable for use outside laboratories.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 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
  • Also, people are putting a little too much play on this whole almost a dance minor thing.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
  • That seemingly minor detail can have huge consequences for the entire economy.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Irreducible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreducible. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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