IRRETRIEVABLE Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

irretrievable

adjective

ˌir-i-ˈtrē-və-bəl

Definition of irretrievable

as in hopeless

not capable of being cured or reformed an irretrievable drug addict who had wasted a once-promising life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in irreparable

not capable of being repaired, regained, or undone this is just an irretrievable mess, so let's start all over again

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 irretrievable Days before, Sheriff Nanos had said images were irretrievable. — Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2026 This dreamscape of the island, like that of the jungle, illuminates in children’s literature a sense of utopia and longing about childhood as a not-quite-place, situated in an irretrievable past-yet-future, while at the same time rooted in an anti-utopian logic of adulthood. — Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025 Alcaraz broke the Italian twice, winning the set with an incredible backhand flick from what looked like an irretrievable position and cupping his ear. — Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025 There is a genuinely irretrievable, ephemeral, low-res version of the movie. — Rachel Handler, Vulture, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for irretrievable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irretrievable

Adjective

Pettus said watching Patterson's progress and seeing her family in a home of their own has been especially meaningful after a period that once seemed hopeless.

— Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Approximately 18% of all Latino high school students have seriously contemplated suicide and 42% of Latino youths reported constantly feeling sad or hopeless, recent congressional studies found.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of hopeless

Adjective

The accusation concerned the family’s claim of future irreparable harm and the need for immediate court intervention.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The other two judges, Kelly and Tymkovich, concluded the NCAA made a sufficient showing under the factors governing stays pending appeal, including on the merits and irreparable harm.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of irreparable

Adjective

After all there’s nothing very funny about an incurable disease that traps you inside your body.

— Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
The issue roiled French politics for years before lawmakers recently approved legislation allowing adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of incurable

Adjective

Apparently, the files are irrecoverable and the production company, Mastiff, must go back to the drawing board and recut the entire season again.

— Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026
Countless documents were left lying out in the open and quickly became irrecoverable.

— Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026

Definition of irrecoverable

Adjective

In March, Toku launched an AI agent that not only chases payments over WhatsApp, email, or voice, but can also arrange repayment plans—which the company says has reduced unrecoverable debts by up to half.

— Harry Booth, Time, 30 Sep. 2026
If the answer involves customer harm, regulatory exposure or unrecoverable decisions, AI as autonomy is being requested at the wrong scope.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of unrecoverable

Adjective

As a result, Barry served six months in prison, and though he was later reelected as mayor, his drug use left an irremediable stain on his reputation and raised larger questions about misgovernance and corruption.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Early moves from England to Ireland to Nigeria and then back to England had left me feeling an irremediable outsider.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of irremediable

Adjective

In interviews, colleagues and friends have painted the portrait of Galliano before his downfall as a brilliant designer as well as an incorrigible drunk who trashed hotel rooms.

— Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Graham, who died unexpectedly on July 11 at age 71, was equally irascible and incorrigible.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 28 July 2026

Definition of incorrigible

Browse Nearby Words

irresponsibleness

irretrievable

irreverence

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“Irretrievable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irretrievable. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of irretrievable

adjective

Example Sentences

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