Irreparable

Irreparable describes something that cannot be fixed or mended; it's beyond repair. It signifies a state of being damaged or broken to such an extent that restoration to its original condition is impossible. This often implies a significant loss or destruction. The term is frequently used in contexts involving physical objects, relationships, or abstract concepts like reputation, time, and emotional well-being, highlighting a point of no return where intervention is futile, and the negative consequence is permanent.

Irreparable meaning with examples

• The earthquake caused irreparable damage to the historic cathedral, collapsing sections of the building that could never be restored to their former glory. The structural integrity was compromised beyond recovery, requiring demolition. Its significance as a cultural landmark would be lost forever, a consequence of the devastating tremors. There was no method to fix its issues.
• After the bitter argument and subsequent silence, their friendship reached an irreparable state. Trust was broken, words spoken were not able to be taken back, and both parties felt the pain of a friendship forever altered, an experience which they could not find a repair for. There was nothing to stop the divide from growing.
• The company's fraudulent activities caused irreparable damage to its reputation, resulting in a loss of consumer trust, financial collapse, and lawsuits. The scandal, the damage to the image, and the legal troubles led to the closure of the business. No amount of damage control would be sufficient to revive the lost consumer confidence, and the company suffered.
• Years of neglect and environmental pollution had rendered the ecosystem's degradation irreparable. The once-vibrant coral reefs were bleached, the fish stocks depleted, and the biodiversity greatly reduced. The damage had progressed far beyond the point where restoration was viable, leading to the permanent loss of the natural environment.