If you talk about irretrievable damage or an irretrievable situation, you mean that the damage or situation is so bad that there is no possibility of putting it right.
[formal]
What a tragedy if the sport suffers irretrievable damage because this issue is ducked.
...a country in irretrievable decline.
Synonyms: irreversible, incurable, irrevocable, irreparable More Synonyms of irretrievable
irretrievably (ɪrɪtriːvəbli)adverb [usually ADVERB with verb]
Eventually her marriage broke down irretrievably.
irretrievable in British English
(ˌɪrɪˈtriːvəbəl)
adjective
not able to be retrieved, recovered, or repaired
Derived forms
irretrievability (ˌirreˌtrievaˈbility) or irretrievableness (ˌirreˈtrievableness)
noun
irretrievably (ˌirreˈtrievably)
adverb
irretrievable in American English
(ˌɪrrɪˈtrivəbəl; ˌɪrɪˈtrivəbəl)
adjective
that cannot be retrieved, recovered, restored, or recalled
Derived forms
irretrievability (ˌirreˌtrievaˈbility)
noun
irretrievably (ˌirreˈtrievably)
adverb
Examples of 'irretrievable' in a sentence
irretrievable
As the cold Fenland mist condensed into drizzle, he mourned for the irretrievable.
Moore, Margaret FORESTS OF THE NIGHT (2002)
The part of Wendy's mind that had accepted the irretrievable demise of their marriage simply shut down.
Cathy Kelly JUST BETWEEN US (2002)
But that moment was in the past, as irretrievable as childhood.
Elizabeth Lowell A WOMAN WITHOUT LIES (2002)
(adjective)
Definition
impossible to put right or make good
a country in irretrievable decline
Synonyms
irreversible
She could suffer irreversible brain damage if we don't act fast.
incurable
irrevocable
He said the decision was irrevocable.
irreparable
The move would cause irreparable harm to the organization.
final
The judge's decision is final.
unalterable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of final
Definition
having no possibility of further discussion, action, or change
The judge's decision is final.
Synonyms
irrevocable,
absolute,
decisive,
definitive,
decided,
finished,
settled,
definite,
conclusive,
irrefutable,
incontrovertible,
unalterable,
determinate,
net-net (informal)
in the sense of irreparable
Definition
not able to be repaired or put right
The move would cause irreparable harm to the organization.