Irreversible
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˌɪr.ɪˈvɜː.sə.bəl/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Irreversible is an adjective meaning Incapable of being reversed or turned about or back; incapable of being made to run backwards.
Meaning
Incapable of being reversed or turned about or back; incapable of being made to run backwards.
More Meanings
- Incapable of being reversed, recalled, repealed, or annulled.
- (thermodynamics) Incapable of being reversed to the original state without consumption of free energy and increase of entropy.
Example Sentences
an irreversible engine
an irreversible sentence or decree
“Even under a variety of policies, including plastic product reduction, waste management, and environmental recycling, microplastic pollution is irreversible and escalating.”
Manganism has been known about since the 19th century, when miners exposed to ores containing manganese[…]began to totter, slur their speech and behave like someone inebriated. The poisoning was irreversible, and soon ended in psychosis and death.
Synonyms for irreversible
Depending on context, synonyms include permanent, irrevocable, irrevokable.
Antonyms for irreversible
Common opposites include reversible.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include irrevokable, irrevocable, permanent, irretrievable, irremediable, irreparable.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.