Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for irretrievable. Search instead for irretrievabi.
Definitions

irretrievable

[ir-i-tree-vuh-buhl] / ˌɪr ɪˈtri və bəl /
ADJECTIVE
desperate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
despondent forlorn futile sad vain
STRONG
downcast goner
WEAK
at end of one's rope back to the wall can't win dead duck despairing desponding gone hard up in the soup in the toilet inconsolable irrecoverable irremediable no chance no-win running out of time sunk up against it up the creek useless wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy hopeful joyful
WEAK
calm confident content contented satisfactory satisfied secure unworried
ADJECTIVE
irreparable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
irreplaceable irreversible
WEAK
beyond repair broken cureless destroyed hopeless impossible incorrigible incurable irrecoverable irredeemable irremediable irremedial ruined uncorrectable unrecoverable
Antonyms
WEAK
fixable mendable repairable reparable
ADJECTIVE
irreversible
Synonyms
STRONGEST
inevitable permanent
WEAK
beyond recall certain changeless constant doomed established fated final immutable indelible invariable irremediable lost predestined predetermined settled unalterable unrepealable unreversible
ADJECTIVE
irrevocable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
immutable irreversible permanent
WEAK
certain changeless constant doomed established fated final indelible inevitable invariable irremediable lost predestined predetermined settled unalterable unrepealable unreversible
Antonyms
WEAK
alterable changeable reversible revocable
ADJECTIVE
lost
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absent adrift disoriented hidden invisible misplaced vanished
STRONG
disappeared forfeit forfeited gone lacking minus mislaid missed obscured strayed wandering
WEAK
astray at sea cast away down the drain fallen between cracks gone astray irrecoverable irrevocable kiss goodbye nowhere to be found off-course out the window unredeemed wayward without
Antonyms
STRONGEST
seen
WEAK
found

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But while all three dreamlike films expertly mimic the imperfect act of remembering, Schilinski’s makes the past seem irretrievable — a ghost whose presence we can feel but not touch.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2026

You are trying, in this book, to express the level of absolute, possibly irretrievable loss.

From Slate • Oct. 27, 2025

Under his now-defunct bill, at least one of the parties seeking a divorce on "irretrievable breakdown" grounds would have to present a witness who could testify to affirm the breakdown.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2025

The break was decisive and irretrievable for Djokovic.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2024

Prim makes a sound—such a lost, irretrievable sound—that I can’t even imagine what they have done to evoke it.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Vocabulary lists containing irretrievable

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Stories of Ourselves

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 3

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!