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unreclaimable

unreclaimable

8.1
No one can return land, objects, or memories to a usable state
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌn.rɪˈkleɪ.mə.bəl/
translation icon : irrecuperable
  • The damage to the ancient painting was so severe that it became unreclaimable.

Examples

  • The polluted land was declared unreclaimable after years of toxic waste dumping.

  • Some memories are lost forever and are simply unreclaimable.

  • This area is unreclaimable!

  • The land was deemed unreclaimable after years of neglect.

  • The once vibrant wetlands have become so polluted that they are now unreclaimable.

  • After the devastating storm, the resort was left in an unreclaimable state, forcing its permanent closure.

  • Many believe that the unreclaimable damage to the ecosystem will affect generations to come.

Synonyms

unobtainable
vsunreclaimable
7 6.1

Impossible to get

is about losing and failing to restore something once owned
irretrievable
vsunreclaimable
4 8.5

You cannot get it back or fix it after it is lost

is the same idea but often stresses permanent loss
unrecoverable
vsunreclaimable
2 7.3

Something that cannot be fixed or brought back

is the general term for failure to return to usable state
uncollectible
vsunreclaimable
  • Specialized
1 7.3

Money that cannot be collected from the person who owes it

is about physical or document restoration not debt recovery
irrecoverable
vsunreclaimable
1 8.8

Impossible to get back or fix

is about inability to restore original usable condition
unreturnable
vsunreclaimable
1 4.2

Not able to be sent back to the store or seller

is broader, covering inability to restore usable condition rather than just return
uncollectable
vsunreclaimable
  • UK
1 5.3

Impossible to get back money that someone owes

focuses on restoring items and land, not unpaid money
unretrievable
vsunreclaimable
7.9

Impossible to get back

is about inability to restore to a usable former state
irreclaimable
vsunreclaimable
9.9

Not able to be changed for the better

is used more for physical restoration rather than moral change
undiscoverable
vsunreclaimable
8.9

Not possible to find or learn where something is

focuses on inability to restore condition rather than inability to find

Antonyms

9 4.2

Able to be found or returned after being lost

Something you can get back and use again

How Recoverable

fixable
9 2.7
damaged
1 1.1
unreclaimable
8.1

Surface Forms

unreclaimable positive

Morphology

unreclaimable = reclaimable (transparent) = un + reclaim + able

The prefix 'un-' clearly negates the meaning of 'reclaimable', indicating something that cannot be reclaimed.

Etymology

Unreclaimable comes from un- 'not' and reclaim 'to take back', and reclaim is like the everyday word claim. Think of land or a painting you can no longer 'claim back' or fix, so unreclaimable means impossible to recover or restore.