irrevocably
gb/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbli/ us/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in a way that cannot change
In a permanent way that cannot be undone.
Usage pattern:
irrevocably + [verb/adjective]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with inevitably: irrevocably means it cannot be reversed, not that it was certain to happen.
Synonyms
irreversibly (Closest equivalent; emphasizes that reversing is impossible.)
|
permanently (Common and simpler; focuses on lasting forever, not necessarily on reversal.)
|
unalterably (More formal; stresses that it cannot be altered.)
Antonyms
reversibly (Able to be undone or returned to a previous state.)
|
temporarily (Lasting only for a limited time.)
|
repairably (Able to be fixed or restored.)
Collocations
irrevocably changed
|irrevocably altered
|irrevocably damaged
|irrevocably harmed
|irrevocably lost
|irrevocably broken
|irrevocably separated
|irrevocably destroyed
|irrevocably affected
|irrevocably committed
Themes
change
|time
|decisions
|life_events
Examples
- The accident irrevocably changed how she saw the world.
- Once the email was sent, the situation shifted irrevocably.
- Their friendship was irrevocably damaged by the lie.
Learner examples
- The decision affected my life irrevocably.
- The vase was broken irrevocably.
adverb
legal
C2
property
2
in a way that cannot be revoked
In a way that cannot be officially canceled or taken back.
Usage pattern:
irrevocably + [transfer/assign/appoint/waive/authorize]
Common mistake:
In legal contexts, irrevocably refers to revoking/canceling an authority or right, not just something lasting a long time.
Synonyms
definitively (Emphasizes finality, but may be less strictly legal than irrevocably.)
|
permanently (Suggests lasting effect; may not capture the specific legal idea of ‘cannot be revoked’.)
Antonyms
revocably (Able to be revoked or canceled.)
|
provisionally (Given only temporarily and subject to change or withdrawal.)
|
conditionally (Dependent on conditions and therefore potentially withdrawable.)
Collocations
irrevocably transferred
|irrevocably assigned
|irrevocably appointed
|irrevocably waived
|irrevocably granted
|irrevocably authorized
|irrevocably bound
|irrevocably designate
|irrevocably surrendered
|irrevocably committed
Themes
law
|business
|contracts
|finance
Examples
- By signing the agreement, you irrevocably waive your right to bring further claims.
- The shares were irrevocably transferred to the trust.
- She irrevocably appointed her sister as attorney-in-fact in the document.
Learner examples
- He irrevocably gave up his right to appeal.
- The property was irrevocably transferred.
Grammar
Dictionary form
irrevocably
IPA
GB/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbli/
US/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbli/
Syllables & stress
ir - re - voc - ably (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (re)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: irrevocably
- Plural: irrevocablies
Word family
Forms
irrevocablies
noun
Core family
Related words
revocable
adjective
Advanced or less common
irrevocability
noun
Expressions
irrevocably bound
1/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbli bˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
formal
tied so it cannot change
Tied to something and unable to get out of it.
Examples
- Under the terms of the contract, both parties are irrevocably bound.
- They felt irrevocably bound to the decision they had announced publicly.
irrevocably committed
1/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbli kəmˈɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
formal
unable to back out
So committed that you cannot stop or change it.
Examples
- After the deposit was paid, they were irrevocably committed to buying the house.
- Once the merger contract was signed, the company was irrevocably committed to the deal.
irrevocably damaged
1/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbli dˈæmɪd͡ʒd/
fixed phrase
formal
hurt beyond repair
Damaged so much that it cannot be fixed.
Examples
- The flood left the building irrevocably damaged.
- After years of neglect, their relationship was irrevocably damaged.
irrevocably linked
1/ɪɹˈɛvəkəbli lˈɪŋkt/
fixed phrase
formal
connected so they cannot separate
Connected in a way that cannot be separated.
Examples
- In the public mind, the brand is irrevocably linked to that scandal.
- Their names are irrevocably linked in the history of the movement.