irrevocable

[ ih-rev-uh-kuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not to be revoked or recalled; unable to be repealed or annulled; unalterable:

   an irrevocable decree.

irrevocable

/ ɪˈrɛvəkəbəl /

adjective

1. not able to be revoked, changed, or undone; unalterable

Derived Forms

• irˌrevocaˈbility, noun
• irˈrevocably, adverb

Other Words From

• ir·rev·o·ca·bil·i·ty [ih-rev-, uh, -k, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], ir·rev·o·ca·ble·ness noun
• ir·rev·o·ca·bly adverb
• non·ir·rev·o·ca·bil·i·ty noun
• non·ir·rev·o·ca·ble adjective
• non·ir·rev·o·ca·ble·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of irrevocable¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; a Middle English word from the Latin word irrevocābilis; ir- ², revocable

Example Sentences

Releasing that 139 gigatons of irrecoverable carbon could have irrevocable consequences.

From Science News

He’s at the sharp end of irrevocable disruption to online advertising and yet is rarely thrown when pressed on the future of digital advertising.

From Digiday

It is also crucially important to hold the previous administration — and especially those within it who crafted and implemented these harmful policies that have done irrevocable damage to our country’s reputation around the world — accountable.

From Washington Blade

There is something irrevocable-feeling about couples tying the knot on the steps of the county courthouse.

From The Daily Beast

She filed for divorce in August 2009 because of an “irrevocable breakdown.”

From The Daily Beast

She is right that, for some, the stain of humiliation can indeed be irrevocable.

From The Daily Beast

First: we are not committed to a life sentence—nothing is really irrevocable, not even marriage (though I used to think so).

From The Daily Beast

It is different because it ends a life, and for that reason it is irrevocable.

From The Daily Beast

Principal or agent, my decision, Doctor, is irrevocable—I refuse to serve your accursed ends further.

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed to the poor child as if Mrs Mason's words were irrevocable, and, that being so, she was shut out from every house.

From Project Gutenberg

Thyrsis would face the blunder they had made—it might have been avoided so easily, and now it was irrevocable!

From Project Gutenberg

If he were to mail it, it would be irrevocable; and it would probably mean that he would lose Corydon.

From Project Gutenberg

So I was able to shake off that earlier fear of some final and irrevocable destruction truncating all my schemes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• immutable
• irreversible
• permanent