irretrievable

[ ir-i-tree-vuh-buhl ]

/ ˌɪr ɪˈtri və bəl /

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See synonyms for irretrievable on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not capable of being retrieved; irrecoverable; irreparable.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of irretrievable

1695–1705; ir-² + retrievable

OTHER WORDS FROM irretrievable

ir·re·triev·a·bil·i·ty, ir·re·triev·a·ble·ness, nounir·re·triev·a·bly, adverb

Words nearby irretrievable

irrespirable, irresponsible, irresponsive, irretentive, irretraceable, irretrievable, irreverence, irreverent, irreversible, irrevocable, irrevocably

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use irretrievable in a sentence

Unlike adults, many of the events and milestones they missed out on are irretrievable.
What happened to America’s teens when coronavirus disrupted high school?|Moriah Balingit|October 28, 2021|Washington Post
His death during the storm was recognized as an irretrievable loss of part of what made the neighborhood the neighborhood.
Rockaway Mailman Rick Gold Killed in Storm and Mourned on His Route|Michael Daly|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But she and her family have learned enough about irretrievable loss to keep a hard-earned perspective.
Heroism in the Rockaways After Hurricane Sandy|Michael Daly|November 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Besides this good news, the "Mutine" brought word of another misfortune, more irretrievable than the loss of spars.
The Life of Nelson, Vol. I (of 2)|A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan

After all the demolitions of Totila, the ruin was not irretrievable.
Theodoric the Goth|Thomas Hodgkin
We know that the fact is irretrievable, and struggle to be proud of what we cannot help.
The Two Admirals|J. Fenimore Cooper
The qualities by which court is made to the people, were to render every fault inexpiable, and every error irretrievable.
Thoughts on the Present Discontents|Edmund Burke
A false move now, the least slip of a tongue aching to rain curses on Power, and irretrievable mischief would be done.
The Terms of Surrender|Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for irretrievable

irretrievable

/ (ˌɪrɪˈtriːvəbəl) /

adjective

not able to be retrieved, recovered, or repaired

Derived forms of irretrievable

irretrievability or irretrievableness, nounirretrievably, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

irretrievable

Origin of irretrievable

OTHER WORDS FROM irretrievable

Words nearby irretrievable

Words related to irretrievable

How to use irretrievable in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for irretrievable

Derived forms of irretrievable