irremediable

adjective

ir·​re·​me·​di·​a·​ble ˌir-i-ˈmē-dē-ə-bəl How to pronounce irremediable (audio)
: not remediable
an irremediable error
also : incurable
irremediableness noun
irremediably adverb

Examples of irremediable in a Sentence

There was an irremediable split between the two sides of the family. the firm belief that no juvenile delinquent is irremediable
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Many thought that a healthy forest would never thrive in impoverished, mercury-laden topsoil and that the piles of sandy tailings, the residue from the gold mining effort, and the pools of wastewater were irremediable. Simeon Tegel, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024 For example, if a package containing plasma is left outside during extreme weather conditions, like 20 degrees below freezing in Boston or 115-degree heat in Arizona, the contents could suffer irremediable damage that renders them unsafe for use. Guy Yehiav, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Though Harvard’s governing body initially stood behind Gay after what some considered a tepid response to the student groups’ statement, the plagiarism allegations proved irremediable. Annie Massa, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2024 This is not a picture of irremediable structural dysfunction that will lead inexorably to collapse. Fareed Zakaria, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023 The mayor has heard hundreds of stories about irremediable loss and fears like people had never experienced. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2023 Though only the last is irremediable. Jennifer Senior, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2022 The animating conviction that America’s economic, governmental, and judicial institutions are irremediable distinguishes Portland protesters from others around the country. Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2020 In many cases mental illness lays a persistent, tragic, and irremediable burden on individuals and their families who do not have the means for private mental health care. courant.com, 27 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin irremediabilis, from in- + remediabilis remediable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irremediable was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near irremediable

Cite this Entry

“Irremediable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irremediable. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

irremediable

adjective
ir·​re·​me·​di·​a·​ble ˌir-i-ˈmēd-ē-ə-bəl How to pronounce irremediable (audio)
: not remediable
also : incurable
irremediably adverb

Medical Definition

irremediable

adjective
ir·​re·​me·​di·​a·​ble ˌir-i-ˈmēd-ē-ə-bəl How to pronounce irremediable (audio)
: impossible to remedy or cure

Legal Definition

irremediable

adjective
ir·​re·​me·​di·​a·​ble ˌir-rə-ˈmē-dē-ə-bəl How to pronounce irremediable (audio)
: impossible to remedy, correct, or redress
irremediable harm
irremediable conduct
irremediably adverb

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