unrecoverable

adjective

ˌən-ri-ˈkə-və-rə-bəl How to pronounce unrecoverable (audio)
Definition of unrecoverablenext
1
as in hopeless
not capable of being cured or reformed believed that there was no such thing as an unrecoverable criminal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irreparable
not capable of being repaired, regained, or undone the flood caused unrecoverable damage to our home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unrecoverable It was pronounced unrecoverable. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 This leads to what may be a unrecoverable confession from Emma that adds tension to the lead-up to their nuptials. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026 If the government stays closed, the blame will fall on those fighting to protect an agency operating at an unrecoverable trust deficit, pushing out transparent propaganda that Republican politicians are struggling to coherently defend. — Logan McMillen, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2026 Time is scarce and unrecoverable, unlike money. — Brian Page, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unrecoverable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrecoverable
  1. hopeless
  2. irreparable
  3. irrecoverable
  4. irreversible
  5. irretrievable
  6. incurable
Adjective
  • Johnston, who made his breakout performance as the toxically hopeless romantic Bear in Curry Barker’s Obsession, has most recently been in talks to join Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in the upcoming fourth installment of The Mummy.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For all the apocalyptic overtones in the film, Gibney doesn’t want audiences to come away feeling hopeless.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • The Justice Department ultimately argued that the outlets have not established irreparable harm and that the balance of equities and public interest favors the government.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Amazon is calling for people to support AI data center projects, or risk irreparable harm to the US economy and national security.
    — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of irreparable
Adjective
  • Countless documents were left lying out in the open and quickly became irrecoverable.
    — Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026
  • At the same time, much of the world is facing water bankruptcy, meaning people and industries are using more fresh water than nature can replenish, leading to irrecoverable ecosystem damages.
    — Abraham Nunbogu, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of irrecoverable
Adjective
  • Make nothing irreversible in the same meeting where the anger showed up.
    — Larry Bomback, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Other children are developing severe and irreversible neurological damage because of brain inflammation, or encephalitis, Shirey said.
    — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of irreversible
Adjective
  • The manufacturer of NarcX+ states that medications become irretrievable in less than two hours, and consuming any of the NarcX+ liquid will cause vomiting.
    — Sunny Linnebur, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • That probably makes the loss of faith among England fans irretrievable.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of irretrievable
Adjective
  • After all there’s nothing very funny about an incurable disease that traps you inside your body.
    — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The issue roiled French politics for years before lawmakers recently approved legislation allowing adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of incurable

Browse Nearby Words

unrecorded
unrecoverable
unredeemable
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Cite this Entry

“Unrecoverable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrecoverable. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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