irredeemable

American  

[ir-i-dee-muh-buhl] / ˌɪr ɪˈdi mə bəl /

adjective

1. not redeemable; incapable of being bought back or paid off.

2. irremediable; irreparable; hopeless.

3. beyond redemption; irreclaimable.

4. (of paper money) not convertible into gold or silver.

---

irredeemable British  

/ ˌɪrɪˈdiːməbəl /

adjective

1. (of bonds, debentures, shares, etc) without a date of redemption of capital; incapable of being bought back directly or paid off

2. (of paper money) not convertible into specie

3. (of a sinner) not able to be saved or reformed

4. (of a loss) not able to be recovered; irretrievable

5. not able to be improved or rectified; irreparable

---

Other Word Forms

• irredeemability noun
• irredeemableness noun
• irredeemably adverb

Etymology

Origin of irredeemable

First recorded in 1600–10; ir- ² + redeemable

Example Sentences

It highlighted societal changes in Saudi Arabia that allowed edgy American comedians to perform in a country long dismissed as irredeemably puritanical and regressive.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rowling saw an irredeemable villain in Draco Malfoy, thousands of people saw an abused child who had grown up in a dangerous household and was trying to survive.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re relatives and friends and community members, the thinking goes, not irredeemable monsters.

From Los Angeles Times

After contacting liquidators, Ms Roberts was told the vouchers were irredeemable and it was not possible for refunds to be issued.

From BBC

"He had become hopelessly, irredeemably corrupted and, as a result, he has paid a very heavy price – and quite rightly to."

From BBC

Related Words

• desperate
• forlorn
• helpless
• impossible
• pointless
• sad
• tragic
• useless