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

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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 His remains were determined to be unrecoverable in 1956 until new DNA testing led to his homecoming. — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 The contamination can lead to catastrophic engine failure, resulting in a vehicle fire or an unexpected and unrecoverable loss of propulsion. — James Powel, USA Today, 17 Nov. 2025 The business also has made Space Shuttle drag parachutes for the orbiter, and parachutes that deploy from the tails of F-22 and F-35 military jets to break them from unrecoverable stalls or spins. — Pat Maio, Oc Register, 29 May 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 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
  • The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer managed to put two past a hopeless Uzbekistan, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive World Cups.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026
  • The conflict feels contemporary without growing too cynical, and the core relationship stakes seem real without skewing hopeless.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 June 2026
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • The lawsuit states that Kuka has singlehandedly caused irreparable harm to Boca View by refusing to abide by Florida law and the association’s own bylaws in order to further her self-serving agenda.
    — Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • And there’s no guarantee that Illinois would grant the license, threatening irreparable harms, including income and reputation loss, Kalshi argued.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 29 June 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
  • Meanwhile, in the 'Before Times,' journalist Helen Drew (Jessica Henwick) and Congressman Daniel Keene (Ashley Zukerman) uncover a conspiracy that pulls them into a chain of events with catastrophic, irreversible consequences.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • In addition, patients with incurable or irreversible conditions no longer have to certify annually.
    — Emily McLeod, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of irreversible
Adjective
  • The message had found us, against steep odds, but the meaning was irretrievable.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026
  • For Isaac, the film also captures something irretrievable.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of irretrievable
Adjective
  • In addition, patients with incurable or irreversible conditions no longer have to certify annually.
    — Emily McLeod, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • She had been diagnosed in 2006 — at age 46 — with late-stage follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which has long been deemed incurable.
    — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 29 June 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 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unrecoverable

Nglish: Translation of unrecoverable for Spanish Speakers

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