Undoable: meaning, definitions and examples

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undoable

 

[ˌʌnˈduːəbl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in a context of actions or decisions

Not able to be undone or reversed; final and irreversible.

Synonyms

final, irreversible, irrevocable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
undoable

Used when something cannot be done or achieved. Commonly used in everyday conversations to express that a task or action is impossible to complete.

  • This puzzle is undoable; it's just too complicated.
  • The project's timeline is undoable with our current resources.
irreversible

Used to describe something that cannot be changed back to its original state. Typically used in scientific, medical, or technical contexts where changes or damages are permanent.

  • The damage to the environment is irreversible.
  • His condition is irreversible after the surgery.
irrevocable

Used to describe a decision, action, or agreement that cannot be changed or undone. This term is often used in legal, financial, or official contexts.

  • The contract is irrevocable once signed.
  • Her decision to resign is irrevocable.
final

Used to describe something that is the last or ultimate decision, action, or event. Often employed in official or formal settings, especially in contexts where no further changes are allowed.

  • The judge's decision is final.
  • After much deliberation, the final design was approved.

Examples of usage

  • The damage caused by the earthquake was undoable.
  • Once the contract is signed, it becomes undoable.
  • She realized that her mistake was undoable.
Context #2 | Adjective

in a context of tasks or actions

Not capable of being accomplished, achieved, or completed.

Synonyms

impossible, unattainable, unfeasible.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
undoable

Used when something is realistically not possible to accomplish with available resources or within certain constraints.

  • Breaking a bad habit can feel undoable, but with the right support, it is possible.
  • For many, the idea of running a marathon seems undoable.
impossible

Used when referring to something that cannot be done or achieved under any circumstances.

  • It's impossible to travel faster than the speed of light.
  • Winning the lottery twice is nearly impossible.
unattainable

Fits well when talking about goals or targets that cannot be reached due to certain limitations.

  • His dream of becoming an astronaut seemed unattainable.
  • Perfection is often considered unattainable.
unfeasible

Appropriate for situations where something is impractical or not plausible due to constraints like resources, time, or practicality.

  • Building a skyscraper in such a small area is unfeasible.
  • His plan to start a business without any capital is unfeasible.

Examples of usage

  • The project seemed undoable within the given timeframe.
  • Her ambitious goal was considered undoable by many.
  • The task proved to be undoable due to lack of resources.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word combines 'undo', which means to reverse something, and the suffix '-able', which indicates the ability to do something.
  • It first appeared in English in the early 19th century, evolving from earlier uses of 'undo' in various contexts.

Psychology

  • The concept of undoable actions relates to regret and choices, emphasizing that some decisions cannot be reversed.
  • Research shows that people tend to want to 'undo' embarrassing moments, often leading to anxiety over irreversible actions.

Technology

  • In software applications, the 'undo' function allows users to revert their last action, but some changes can be set as 'undoable' only under certain conditions.
  • The design of user interfaces often considers which actions should be undoable to enhance user experience.

Literature

  • In many narrative tropes, the idea of irreversible events features prominently, such as tragic decisions made by characters that cannot be undone.
  • Authors often explore themes of regret, underscoring that some happenings are truly undoable.

Popular Culture

  • In movies, pivotal moments where characters make undoable choices drive the plot forward, creating tension and drama.
  • Reality shows often depict situations where participants regret decisions, highlighting the emotional weight of undoable actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "undoable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irreversível

🇮🇳 अवापसीय

🇩🇪 unwiderruflich

🇮🇩 tidak bisa dibatalkan

🇺🇦 незворотний

🇵🇱 nieodwracalny

🇯🇵 取り消せない

🇫🇷 irréversible

🇪🇸 irreversible

🇹🇷 geri alınamaz

🇰🇷 되돌릴 수 없는

🇸🇦 غير قابل للإلغاء

🇨🇿 nevratný

🇸🇰 nevratný

🇨🇳 不可撤销的

🇸🇮 nepovraten

🇮🇸 óafturkallanlegt

🇰🇿 қайтарылмайтын

🇬🇪 უკუქცევადი

🇦🇿 geri qaytarılmaz

🇲🇽 irreversible