irreparable
/i'repərəbl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- impossible to repair, rectify, or amend
- irreparable harm
- an irreparable mistake
- irreparable damages