Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Impossible to repair, rectify, or amend: Describes damage, harm, loss, or a mistake that is so severe it cannot be fixed, corrected, or made right again.

Usage

The adjective "irreparable" is used to describe a situation where something is permanently broken or damaged beyond the possibility of restoration. It is a formal word, often used in legal, medical, or serious contexts. It typically modifies abstract nouns like "harm," "damage," "loss," or "mistake."

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The scandal caused irreparable damage to the company's reputation.
  • The loss of the ancient manuscript was an irreparable blow to historians.
  • He realized he had made an irreparable mistake by betraying his friend's trust.

Advanced Usage

• "Irreparable harm": A legal term for damage that cannot be adequately compensated by money and therefore may require urgent action (like an injunction) to prevent it.
  • The court issued an injunction to prevent irreparable harm to the endangered species' habitat.
• "Irreparable breakdown": Often used to describe a relationship (especially in marriage) that has been damaged beyond repair.
  • The couple cited irreparable breakdown of the marriage as grounds for divorce.

Variants and Related Words

• Irreparably (adverb): In a way that cannot be repaired or rectified.
  • The ecosystem was irreparably damaged by the oil spill.
• Reparable (adjective): The direct opposite, meaning capable of being repaired or rectified.
  • Fortunately, the error in the report was reparable.

Synonyms

• Irreversible: Not able to be undone or altered.
• Irremediable: Impossible to remedy or cure.
• Unfixable: Incapable of being fixed (less formal).
• Permanent: Lasting or intended to last indefinitely without change.

Antonyms

• Reparable: Capable of being repaired.
• Fixable: Able to be fixed.
• Reversible: Able to be reversed or undone.
• Rectifiable: Able to be corrected or set right.

Adjective

1. impossible to repair, rectify, or amend
   • irreparable harm
   • an irreparable mistake
   • irreparable damages