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Irrevocable: meaning, definitions and examples

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irrevocable

 

[ɪˈrɛvəkəb(ə)l ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

legal

Not able to be changed, reversed, or recovered; final and permanent.

Synonyms

final, irreversible, permanent, unchangeable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
irrevocable

Irrevocable is often used in legal, formal, or serious contexts where decisions or actions cannot be undone or changed.

  • The contract is irrevocable once both parties have signed it.
  • Her decision to move abroad was irrevocable.
unchangeable

Unchangeable is used to describe something that cannot be altered, often used in philosophical, legal, or formal discussions.

  • The terms of the agreement are unchangeable.
  • Her belief in the principle was unchangeable.
permanent

Permanent is used to describe something that lasts indefinitely without change or end, commonly applied in everyday and formal situations.

  • He got a permanent tattoo on his arm.
  • They are looking for a permanent solution to the problem.
final

Final is used in everyday language and formal contexts to indicate the end of something, such as a decision, result, or event, with no possibility of further change.

  • The judge's ruling is final.
  • This is my final offer. Take it or leave it.
irreversible

Irreversible is often used in scientific, medical, or technical contexts to describe processes or changes that cannot be undone, especially those with long-term effects.

  • Climate change has reached an irreversible stage.
  • The damage to his liver was irreversible.

Examples of usage

  • The decision of the court is irrevocable.
  • Once you sign the contract, it becomes irrevocable.
  • Their commitment to the project is irrevocable.
  • The law states that the punishment for this crime is irrevocable.
  • The terms of the agreement are irrevocable.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'irrevocabilis', which means 'not to be called back'.
  • It combines the prefix 'ir-' meaning 'not', with 'revocable', which means 'able to be called back or undone'.

Law

  • In legal terms, an irrevocable decision often cannot be revoked, such as an irrevocable trust.
  • Irrevocable contracts are binding agreements that cannot be easily terminated without severe penalties or consequences.

Psychology

  • Making an irrevocable decision can lead to feelings of stress or anxiety due to the pressure of knowing it can't be changed.
  • Research shows that people often struggle with making irrevocable choices because it limits their future options.

Philosophy

  • The concept of irrevocability often comes up in discussions about free will and determinism, debating whether our choices can truly be altered.
  • Some philosophical theories suggest that irrevocable decisions define our identities and life paths.

Literature

  • In classic literature, irrevocable decisions often serve as pivotal moments for character development and plot progression.
  • Famous stories, like Shakespeare's tragedies, frequently explore the consequences of irrevocable actions, highlighting themes of fate and consequence.

Translations

Translations of the word "irrevocable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irrevogável

🇮🇳 अपरिवर्तनीय

🇩🇪 unwiderruflich

🇮🇩 tak dapat dicabut

🇺🇦 незворотний

🇵🇱 nieodwołalny

🇯🇵 取り消し不可能な

🇫🇷 irrévocable

🇪🇸 irrevocable

🇹🇷 geri alınamaz

🇰🇷 철회할 수 없는

🇸🇦 غير قابل للإلغاء

🇨🇿 neodvolatelný

🇸🇰 neodvolateľný

🇨🇳 不可撤销的

🇸🇮 nepreklicen

🇮🇸 óafturkræfur

🇰🇿 қайтарылмайтын

🇬🇪 არასრული

🇦🇿 geri qaytarılmayan

🇲🇽 irrevocable

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,321, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.