nonundoable

Nonundoable is an adjective used to describe an action, decision, or process that cannot be undone or reversed once it has been carried out. The term emphasizes irreversibility and the absence of an undo function. It derives from the prefix non- meaning “not” and undo, meaning to reverse.

In computing and digital interfaces, nonundoable operations require extra caution. Examples include permanently deleting a file, irreversible data migrations, or committing changes in a way that cannot be rolled back. Interfaces commonly issue warnings or require explicit confirmation for nonundoable actions to mitigate accidental harm. Some systems preserve audit trails or historical snapshots to reconstruct outcomes, but these do not restore the system to a prior state.

Beyond software, nonundoable actions appear in contexts such as contracts, approvals, and manufacturing, where reversing a decision or process would be costly, impractical, or legally constrained. In risk management, these actions are treated as high-stakes and are often accompanied by safeguards, checks, or contingency plans.

Distinctions are sometimes drawn between nonundoable, irreversible, and irrevocable. Nonundoable highlights the absence of an undo capability within a given system or process, while irreversible or irrevocable describe broader impossibility or finality in principle. The term is common in technical, legal, and operational discussions and is usually contrasted with options that allow reversal or restoration.

See also: irreversible, irrevocable, undo, version history.