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unrecoverably

unrecoverably

7.8
In a way that cannot be fixed or returned to how it was before
  • adverb
  • /ˌʌnɪˈkʌvərəbli/
translation icon : irremediablemente
  • Once the data was deleted without backup, it was unrecoverably lost forever.

Examples

  • It's because of the "institutional" enablers and cover-up that many more kids were raped, and that the PSU name and "brand" are now unrecoverably destroyed.

    Blog text (25)
  • After the fire, the family realized that their home was unrecoverably destroyed and they had to start over.

  • He often lost words, which hurtled unrecoverably into some slot between his English and his French, a great disadvantage for someone who made his living writing.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The old documents were unrecoverably damaged by water, making them impossible to read.

Synonyms

irrevocably
vsunrecoverably
16 7.7

So that something cannot be changed or undone

is about permanent loss rather than merely being unchangeable
irreparably
vsunrecoverably
9 7.5

In a way you cannot fix or make right

focuses on total loss rather than just being beyond repair
irreversibly
vsunrecoverably
7 6.4

In a way that cannot be changed back

emphasizes the irretrievable nature of the earlier state
irretrievably
vsunrecoverably
5 8.1

In a way that cannot be changed back

focuses similarly on permanent loss of the previous condition
irrecoverably
vsunrecoverably
1 8.8

In a way that cannot be given back or fixed

means the same but stresses loss of the earlier state
irremediably
vsunrecoverably
1 8.4

In a way that cannot be fixed

is broader, highlighting inability to bring back the former state
irreclaimably
vsunrecoverably
9.9

In a way that cannot be brought back or fixed

is like this but highlights inability to return to former state

How Recoverable

reversibly
1 5.1
temporarily
222 3.2
permanently
218 2.9
unrecoverably
7.8

Surface Forms

unrecoverably positive

Morphology

unrecoverably = unrecoverable (transparent) = un + recover + able + ly

Formed regularly from 'un-' + 'recoverable' with a predictable meaning 'not able to be recovered', then '-ly' makes an adverb.

Etymology

Unrecoverably is built from un- 'not' and recover 'get back', and the small re- in recover means 'again'. So unrecoverably means 'in a way that cannot be gotten back', which is why it describes something that cannot be restored.