irreparable

adjective

ir·​rep·​a·​ra·​ble i-ˈre-p(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce irreparable (audio)
ˌi(r)-,
also nonstandard
ˌir-(r)ə-ˈper-ə-bəl How to pronounce irreparable (audio)
: not reparable : irremediable
irreparable damage
irreparableness noun
irreparably
i-ˈre-p(ə-)rə-blē How to pronounce irreparable (audio)
ˌi(r)-
 also nonstandard  ˌir-(r)ə-ˈper-ə-blē
adverb

Examples of irreparable in a Sentence

The oil spill did irreparable harm to the bay. The damage to their relationship was irreparable.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Science & Medicine Why RFK Jr. nomination sets off alarms among many public health specialists Nov. 16, 2024 Bhattacharya was one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 open letter maintaining that lockdowns were causing irreparable harm. Carla K. Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 Bhattacharya was one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 open letter maintaining that lockdowns were causing irreparable harm. Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 27 Nov. 2024 Judge Kato Crews denied the request, writing that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate irreparable harm, in part by waiting until two weeks before the Nov. 27-30 tournament to seek the injunction. The Athletic College Football Staff, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024 In identifying irreparable harm, Corker reasoned that athletes have a limited window of time to negotiate NIL deals. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for irreparable 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin irreparabilis, from in- + reparabilis reparable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near irreparable

Cite this Entry

“Irreparable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreparable. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

irreparable

adjective
ir·​rep·​a·​ra·​ble (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ep-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce irreparable (audio)
: not capable of being repaired or regained
an irreparable loss
irreparably adverb

Legal Definition

irreparable

adjective
ir·​rep·​a·​ra·​ble i-ˈre-pə-rə-bəl, -prə-bəl How to pronounce irreparable (audio)
: impossible to repair, remedy, or undo
irreparably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irreparable

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