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irreparable Definition

ir·repa·rable (i rep′ə rə bəl)

adjective

not reparable; that cannot be repaired, mended, remedied, etc.

Etymology: ME irreperable < OFr irréparable < L irreparabilis

Related Forms:

irreparable Synonyms

irreparable

modif.

incurable, hopeless, irreversible, irremediable, irretrievable, irredeemable, irreclaimable, ruined, unsalvageable, incorrigible; see also broken 1, destroyed, hopeless 2, ruined 1.

irreparable Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • damage: Any conflict in the Taiwan Strait could result in irreparable damages to the peoples on both sides.
  • harm: Environmental stresses can cause irreparable harm to coral reefs.
  • breakdown: But what should be done in cases of irreparable breakdown of relationships?
  • loss: For the first time in his life Polly had a sense of irreparable loss.
  • injury: Now we know that repeated blows to the head inflict irreparable brain injuries.
  • evil: No issue of this discussion can be satisfactory, for, decide as we may, there must be much irreparable evil.

Modifying Another Word

  • often: All must recognize that imprisonment, even for a short period, ruptures lives and the damage is often irreparable.
  • potentially: Acting as if it isn't there just draws out the period of time in which it does potentially irreparable damage to our lives.
  • not: In other words, the injury here was not irreparable.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Otherwise the damage to their relationship might become irreparable.