irremediable
adjective
ir·re·me·di·a·ble
ˌir-i-ˈmē-dē-ə-bəl
: not remediable
an irremediable error
also
: incurable
irremediableness
noun
Synonyms
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
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
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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
Medical Definition
irremediable
adjective
ir·re·me·di·a·ble
ˌir-i-ˈmēd-ē-ə-bəl
: impossible to remedy or cure
Legal Definition
irremediable
adjective
ir·re·me·di·a·ble
ˌir-rə-ˈmē-dē-ə-bəl
: impossible to remedy, correct, or redress
irremediable harm
irremediable conduct
irremediably
adverb
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