Non-recoverable

Describing something that cannot be regained, restored, retrieved, or brought back to a previous state or condition. This often applies to costs, data, assets, or other resources that are lost or spent irrevocably. The term implies permanence and the inability to recoup the initial investment or re-establish what was lost. It signals a finality regarding a loss or expenditure, emphasizing the absence of any future potential for recovery.

Non-recoverable meaning with examples

• The company invested heavily in the failed project. Due to poor market research and a lack of consumer interest, the project was abandoned. The millions spent on research and development are considered non-recoverable, representing a significant financial setback and wasted capital for the organization.
• After the cyberattack, several critical customer databases were wiped out, and attempts to restore the data proved unsuccessful. The lost data, including sensitive personal information and transaction records, is deemed non-recoverable, leading to legal and reputational repercussions for the business. This loss impacted security significantly.
• The environmental damage caused by the oil spill along the coastline included the loss of marine life and the pollution of water. Despite cleanup efforts, the biological impact on the local ecosystem, especially on certain species, is considered largely non-recoverable, altering the coastal life permanently.
• Due to the natural disaster that struck the city, most residents were evacuated and abandoned their homes. Because many people were unable to bring their possessions, all their goods and possessions, which they had lost, were categorized as non-recoverable. This loss was a huge tragedy.
• In the world of high finance, speculative investments can sometimes lead to significant losses. The financial losses from those investments are considered non-recoverable once the investment turns sour. There is no safety net, no chance of retrieval from the failed market.