irremediable

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˌɪrɪˈmiːdiəbl/

KK: /ɪrɪˈmɛdiəbl/

adjective

Definition

Something that cannot be fixed or corrected; it is beyond repair or improvement.

Example

The damage to the ancient artifact was deemed irremediable, leaving it forever altered.

Conversation

I really messed up that project at work.

Oh no, was it something serious?

Yeah, I think the mistakes are irremediable at this point.

That sounds rough! Maybe you can learn from it for next time.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

irreparable

unfixable

incurable

Antonyms

remediable

correctable

repairable

Root Explanation

Irremediable → It is formed from "in-" (meaning not) and "remediabilis" (from Latin "remedium", meaning remedy or cure, and "-abilis", meaning able to). The word describes a condition that cannot be remedied or cured.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'not' ('in-') able to be 'cured' ('remediabilis') — that's why irremediable means it cannot be fixed.

Visually Confused Words