irreversible

adjective

ir·​re·​vers·​ible ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-bəl 

: not reversible

irreversibility

ˌir-i-ˌvər-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

irreversibly

ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• irrecoverable
• irredeemable
• irremediable
• irreparable
• irretrievable
• unrecoverable
• unredeemable

Examples of irreversible in a Sentence

He suffered an irreversible loss of vision.

The crisis has done irreversible harm to the countries' relations.

Recent Examples on the Web

And there is no evidence to suggest this treatment causes long-lasting or irreversible damage to a minor's physical or cognitive development. —Allison Novelo, CBS News, 21 May 2024

Improving heart health may improve cognitive function, but not for everyone—sometimes, the cognitive decline is irreversible if there has been permanent brain damage. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 14 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

irreversible

adjective

ir·​re·​vers·​ible ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-bəl 

: impossible to reverse

an irreversible chemical reaction

irreversible damage

irreversibility

-ˌvər-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

irreversibly

-ˈvər-sə-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

irreversible

adjective

ir·​re·​vers·​ible ˌir-i-ˈvər-sə-bəl 

: incapable of being reversed : not reversible

an irreversible medical procedure

: as

a

: impossible to make run or take place backward

irreversible chemical syntheses

b

of a colloid : incapable of undergoing transformation from sol to gel or vice versa

c

of a pathological process : of such severity that recovery is impossible

irreversible brain damage

irreversibility

-ˌvər-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural irreversibilities

irreversibly

-ˈvər-sə-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

irreversible

adjective

ir·​re·​ver·​si·​ble ˌir-rə-ˈvər-sə-bəl 

: not reversible

an irreversible decision