irretrievable

1 of 2

adjective

ir·​re·​triev·​able ˌir-i-ˈtrē-və-bəl How to pronounce irretrievable (audio)
Synonyms of irretrievablenext
: not retrievable : impossible to regain or recover
irretrievability
ˌir-i-ˌtrē-və-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce irretrievable (audio)
noun
irretrievably
ˌir-i-ˈtrē-və-blē How to pronounce irretrievable (audio)
adverb

irretrievability

2 of 2

noun

ir·​retrievability "+ How to pronounce irretrievability (audio)
: the quality or state of being irretrievable

Synonyms of irretrievable

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Adjective

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Examples of irretrievable in a Sentence

Adjective The data was irretrievable after the computer crashed. the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
The message had found us, against steep odds, but the meaning was irretrievable. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026 There is a genuinely irretrievable, ephemeral, low-res version of the movie. — Rachel Handler, Vulture, 17 May 2025 For Isaac, the film also captures something irretrievable. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026 Days before, Sheriff Nanos had said images were irretrievable. — Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irretrievable

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irretrievable was in 1702

Rhymes for irretrievable

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Browse Nearby Words

irretrievability
irretrievable
irretrievableness
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Cite this Entry

“Irretrievable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irretrievable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

irretrievable

adjective
ir·​re·​triev·​able ˌir-i-ˈtrē-və-bəl How to pronounce irretrievable (audio)
: not capable of being recovered, regained, or remedied
irretrievably
-blē How to pronounce irretrievable (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irretrievable

Nglish: Translation of irretrievable for Spanish Speakers

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