Irreversible
/ˌɪrɪˈvɜːrsəbl/adjective
Something that cannot be changed back to what it was before.
Chemical reactions can often be irreversible.
Often appears as...
- irreversible damage
- irreversible changes
adjective
A situation or action that is very serious or extreme, often in a way that is harmful and cannot be changed.
The harm done to the local economy was irreversible.
Often appears as...
- irreversible consequences
- irreversible effect
adjective
Regarding a process, condition, or state which when it occurs it cannot revert to its original process, condition, or state.
The patient is in an irreversible coma.
Often appears as...
- irreversible coma
- irreversible condition
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
adjective
Something that cannot be changed back to what it was before.
Chemical reactions can often be irreversible.
Often appears as...
- irreversible damage
- irreversible changes
adjective
A situation or action that is very serious or extreme, often in a way that is harmful and cannot be changed.
The harm done to the local economy was irreversible.
Often appears as...
- irreversible consequences
- irreversible effect
adjective
Regarding a process, condition, or state which when it occurs it cannot revert to its original process, condition, or state.
The patient is in an irreversible coma.
Often appears as...
- irreversible coma
- irreversible condition
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Past Actions
Use 'irreversible' for actions you can't undo, like a decision you can't take back.
He made an irreversible choice that defined his career.
Pro Tip 2/3No Return
'Irreversible' often describes a one-way journey, with no chance of going back to the start point.
Traveling to Mars may eventually be a one-way, irreversible trip.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact
'Irreversible' can emphasize the serious emotional impact of an action or event.
His harsh words caused irreversible hurt.
Compare with
finalfiximmutableinevitableirrevocablepermanentunavoidableunchangeable
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Video examples
Attack of the killer...
Invasive species are not a new problem, and can indeed occur naturally. But when such species are the results of human directed selective breeding or genetic modification and then released into the natural environment, their effect on ecosystems can be far more radical and irreversible. With the proliferation of new technologies
Video examples
The discoveries awaiting...
Industry is on the brink of deepening fisheries such as these into the mid-water in what could start a kind of twilight zone gold rush operating outside the reach of national fishing regulations. This could have irreversible global-scale impacts on marine life and food webs.
Video examples
A healthy economy should...
Look in that hole, you can see that millions or billions of people worldwide still fall short on their most basic of needs. And yet, we've already overshot at least four of these planetary boundaries, risking irreversible impact of climate breakdown and ecosystem collapse.
Video examples
5 transformational...
that could take us irreversibly away from the ability of the earth system to provide social and economic well-being for humanity. Now, we can today, scientifically, quantify these boundaries, providing us a stable earth system for humanity. But we have to go beyond this
Video examples
Let the environment...
that ecosystems behave linearly, predictably, controllably in our -- so to say -- linear systems, and that in fact, surprise is universal, as systems tip over very rapidly, abruptly and often irreversibly. This, dear friends, poses a human pressure on the planet
Video examples
Josette Sheeran: Ending...
does not have adequate nutrition, the damage is irreversible. Their brains and bodies will be stunted. And here you see a brain scan of two children -- one who had adequate nutrition, another, neglected and who was deeply malnourished.
Video examples
When The World Gets 1℃...
occurs that kind of central part of the world becomes increasingly uninhabitable if climate change is too fast we're pushing them off the planet in effect we're causing extinction of species already and that's irreversible
Video examples
Why I choose humanism...
have irreversibly, irreparably foreclosed the chances and possibility for Africa to emerge, thrive and flourish. We must realize that there is no part of the world that has not been colonized or enslaved in the past.
Video examples
The case for stubborn...
we condemn our children and their descendants to a world that is increasingly uninhabitable, with exponentially growing levels of disease, famine, and conflict, and irreversible ecosystem failures.
Video examples
Studying the Dry Valleys...
these systems are very unique and as things change climate wise they're gonna change and could change irreversibly the
Video examples
Attack of the killer...
Invasive species are not a new problem, and can indeed occur naturally. But when such species are the results of human directed selective breeding or genetic modification and then released into the natural environment, their effect on ecosystems can be far more radical and irreversible. With the proliferation of new technologies
Video examples
The discoveries awaiting...
Industry is on the brink of deepening fisheries such as these into the mid-water in what could start a kind of twilight zone gold rush operating outside the reach of national fishing regulations. This could have irreversible global-scale impacts on marine life and food webs.
Video examples
A healthy economy should...
Look in that hole, you can see that millions or billions of people worldwide still fall short on their most basic of needs. And yet, we've already overshot at least four of these planetary boundaries, risking irreversible impact of climate breakdown and ecosystem collapse.
Video examples
5 transformational...
that could take us irreversibly away from the ability of the earth system to provide social and economic well-being for humanity. Now, we can today, scientifically, quantify these boundaries, providing us a stable earth system for humanity. But we have to go beyond this
Video examples
Let the environment...
that ecosystems behave linearly, predictably, controllably in our -- so to say -- linear systems, and that in fact, surprise is universal, as systems tip over very rapidly, abruptly and often irreversibly. This, dear friends, poses a human pressure on the planet
Video examples
Josette Sheeran: Ending...
does not have adequate nutrition, the damage is irreversible. Their brains and bodies will be stunted. And here you see a brain scan of two children -- one who had adequate nutrition, another, neglected and who was deeply malnourished.
Video examples
When The World Gets 1℃...
occurs that kind of central part of the world becomes increasingly uninhabitable if climate change is too fast we're pushing them off the planet in effect we're causing extinction of species already and that's irreversible
Video examples
Why I choose humanism...
have irreversibly, irreparably foreclosed the chances and possibility for Africa to emerge, thrive and flourish. We must realize that there is no part of the world that has not been colonized or enslaved in the past.
Video examples
The case for stubborn...
we condemn our children and their descendants to a world that is increasingly uninhabitable, with exponentially growing levels of disease, famine, and conflict, and irreversible ecosystem failures.
Video examples
Studying the Dry Valleys...
these systems are very unique and as things change climate wise they're gonna change and could change irreversibly the
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Leonor Varela
Chilean Actress
We have chosen to bring future generations into this world of rising seas and warming temperatures, droughts and floods, heat waves and wildfires, a world in which one in four mammals and one in eight birds are at risk of disappearing forever. While the damage we've done is irreversible, that doesn't give us the right to do nothing.
Quote examples
Gary Larson
American Cartoonist
Humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history, largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber and fuel. This has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on Earth.
Quote examples
Barbara Jordan
American Politician
We have made mistakes. In our haste to do all things for all people, we did not foresee the full consequences of our actions. And when the people raised their voices, we didn't hear. But our deafness was only a temporary condition, and not an irreversible condition.
Quote examples
Marilynne Robinson
American Novelist
I used to write on a big old couch, but I gave that away. I was wise enough to give it to my son, so if it turns out that the couch was essential to my work, at least the decision to be rid of it is not irreversible.
Quote examples
Joe Slovo
South African Politician
We are of the opinion that an important and irreversible process is taking place among the white population. Just as with the blacks, the whites, too, are currently overcoming a psychological barrier.
Quote examples
Tony Evans
Comebacks don't seem likely when your back is up against the wall and your hope is depleted. But if you will stay the course, you will discover God's power to reverse the irreversible in your life.
Quote examples
Owen Jones
British Journalist
In the 00s, it was often claimed that political apathy had replaced political participation. Membership of political parties and electoral turnout were both said to be in irreversible decline.
Quote examples
Andrew Jackson
American President
I feel in the depths of my soul that it is the highest, most sacred, and most irreversible part of my obligation to preserve the union of these states, although it may cost me my life.
Quote examples
Juan Manuel Santos
Colombian Politician
I say that building peace is like building a cathedral. You have to have a solid base, and then you do it brick by brick. But the process is irreversible. There's no way back.
Quote examples
Fidel Castro
Statesman
Nothing in the world is irreversible, not even capitalism.
Quote examples
Leonor Varela
Chilean Actress
We have chosen to bring future generations into this world of rising seas and warming temperatures, droughts and floods, heat waves and wildfires, a world in which one in four mammals and one in eight birds are at risk of disappearing forever. While the damage we've done is irreversible, that doesn't give us the right to do nothing.
Quote examples
Gary Larson
American Cartoonist
Humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history, largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber and fuel. This has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on Earth.
Quote examples
Barbara Jordan
American Politician
We have made mistakes. In our haste to do all things for all people, we did not foresee the full consequences of our actions. And when the people raised their voices, we didn't hear. But our deafness was only a temporary condition, and not an irreversible condition.
Quote examples
Marilynne Robinson
American Novelist
I used to write on a big old couch, but I gave that away. I was wise enough to give it to my son, so if it turns out that the couch was essential to my work, at least the decision to be rid of it is not irreversible.
Quote examples
Joe Slovo
South African Politician
We are of the opinion that an important and irreversible process is taking place among the white population. Just as with the blacks, the whites, too, are currently overcoming a psychological barrier.
Quote examples
Tony Evans
Comebacks don't seem likely when your back is up against the wall and your hope is depleted. But if you will stay the course, you will discover God's power to reverse the irreversible in your life.
Quote examples
Owen Jones
British Journalist
In the 00s, it was often claimed that political apathy had replaced political participation. Membership of political parties and electoral turnout were both said to be in irreversible decline.
Quote examples
Andrew Jackson
American President
I feel in the depths of my soul that it is the highest, most sacred, and most irreversible part of my obligation to preserve the union of these states, although it may cost me my life.
Quote examples
Juan Manuel Santos
Colombian Politician
I say that building peace is like building a cathedral. You have to have a solid base, and then you do it brick by brick. But the process is irreversible. There's no way back.
Quote examples
Fidel Castro
Statesman
Nothing in the world is irreversible, not even capitalism.
Example 1 of 10
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