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)
Synonyms of irreparablenext
: 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

Synonyms

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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.
However, his critics attest that progress without values can cause irreparable damage to a culture—such as producing a product without much thought to the social or environmental impact. — Harry Kraemer, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 The damage Trump has done to NATO is probably irreparable. — Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025 But in the meantime, the president may enact irreparable damage. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025 Lawyers with the Department of Justice argued the relief requested by the federal unions who brought the lawsuit amounted to putting the CFPB into receivership, while the plaintiffs argued the Trump administration was causing irreparable harm by slowly starving the agency. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2025 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

Rhymes for irreparable

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Browse Nearby Words

irreparable
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Cite this Entry

“Irreparable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreparable. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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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
-blē How to pronounce irreparable (audio)
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

Nglish: Translation of irreparable for Spanish Speakers

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