Irreparably

Irreparably is an adverb used to describe something that cannot be repaired, remedied, or corrected. It modifies adjectives or verbs to indicate that no restoration or adequate compensation is possible. Common collocations include irreparably damaged, irreparably harmed, and irreparably broken. In everyday use, the term often conveys a sense of finality or permanence beyond simple repair.

Derived from the adjective irreparable, which itself comes from Old French irreparable and Latin irreparabilis, irreparably is formed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly. It is distinct from irreversibly, which stresses that a change cannot be reversed; irreparably emphasizes the impossibility of repair or restoration rather than reversibility.

In legal contexts, irreparable harm or irreparable injury refers to damage that cannot be adequately addressed by monetary damages and thus may justify equitable relief such as an injunction. The precise interpretation of irreparable harm varies by jurisdiction and case, but it generally requires imminent risk of lasting harm that cannot be cured by a monetary remedy.

Use of irreparably is most clear when the intended meaning is that repair is not feasible or restoration is beyond possibility. Related terms include irreparable, irrecoverable, and permanently damaged; however, each has nuance. In neutral, formal writing, choose irreparably when describing damage or harm that cannot be fixed.