irrevocable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irrevocable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be changed, reversed, or undone, often in legal or formal contexts. Example: "Once the contract is signed, it becomes irrevocable and cannot be altered by either party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lobban credited Turing with starting the "irrevocable change" that led to the formation of GCHQ and its evolution into "the highly technological intelligence organisation that it is today".

The Guardian

Renate Wohlwend of the council's parliamentary assembly said that "to carry out this irrevocable act now would be a terrible mistake which could lead to a tragic injustice".

The Guardian

But her remark was seen to tally with no campaigners claims that a vote for independence would lead to an irrevocable break with the UK.

The Guardian

For all Schama's eloquent protestation, when it was over and done and we stepped out into the shiny Soho night, it was hard not be persuaded by Wolff's insistence on irrevocable transformation.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the Queen's remarks, which were first disclosed by the Times's Scottish political editor Lindsay McIntosh, were warmly welcomed in private by the pro-UK side, who are keen to impress on voters that they will make an irrevocable decision if they vote for independence.

The Guardian

Vote Tory and you risk leaving Europe, with Scotland leaving the UK – shocking and irrevocable breakages.

The Guardian - Opinion

'What is needed now is an unconditional and irrevocable IRA ceasefire,' he said.' There can be no going back this time, no looking over the shoulder to the option of violence.' The Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble, accused the British government of being too soft in its dealings with IRA and Sinn Fein, describing their approach as all carrot and no stick.

The Guardian

So financial engineers have turned their attention to a version that does not have to be disclosed: "irrevocable" life insurance.This works as follows.

The Economist

Bolivia's constitution, enacted in 2009 under the current president, Evo Morales, calls access to the Pacific an "irrevocable right".That frustrated ambition has made for a relationship with Chile that is at once prickly and intimate.

The Economist

The Supreme Court thus made the rulings of the lower courts permanent in five states and opened the way to similarly irrevocable marriage rights in other states beginning, the next day, with Idaho and Nevada.

The Economist

Given that Mr Jackson says that the fees involved in the second option would be a mere £250,000, it is odd that an irrevocable commitment was not obtained.Mr Jackson admits that TPL has made "errors of judgment" in dealing with the lottery commission.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "irrevocable" to emphasize the finality and binding nature of decisions, contracts, or changes, particularly in legal or formal contexts.

Common error

While "irrevocable" and "irreversible" are similar, "irrevocable" often applies to decisions or commitments, while "irreversible" refers to processes or changes that cannot be undone. Choose the word that best fits the context.

Linguistic Context

The word "irrevocable" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is not capable of being retracted, reversed, or undone. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "irrevocable" is a versatile adjective used to emphasize the final and binding nature of decisions, commitments, or changes. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, business, and legal contexts. While similar to "irreversible", "irrevocable" is often used for decisions, while "irreversible" describes unchangeable processes. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to reserve it for situations where the inability to retract or reverse is paramount. Alternatives such as "irreversible", "unalterable" and "binding" offer similar meanings, though with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irreversible

Focuses on the inability to undo or revert a change.

unalterable

Emphasizes the impossibility of making any alterations or modifications.

unrepealable

Specifically refers to laws or decisions that cannot be rescinded or revoked.

binding

Highlights the legally or morally compulsory nature of an agreement or decision.

final

Indicates the conclusive and definitive nature of a decision, without possibility of appeal.

permanent

Stresses the lasting and enduring quality of something.

unchangeable

Underscores the fixed and immutable nature of something.

irretrievable

Emphasizes that something lost cannot be recovered.

fixed

Highlights the stable and unmoving nature of something.

settled

Suggests that a matter has been decided definitively and is no longer open to debate.

FAQs

How to use "irrevocable" in a sentence?

You can use "irrevocable" to describe a decision or commitment that cannot be changed or reversed, such as "The contract contains an "irrevocable clause"."

What can I say instead of "irrevocable"?

Alternatives to "irrevocable" include "irreversible", "unalterable", or "binding", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "irrevocable" or "irreversible"?

Both "irrevocable" and "irreversible" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Irrevocable" generally refers to decisions or commitments that cannot be taken back, while "irreversible" refers to changes or processes that cannot be undone.

What's the difference between "irrevocable" and "irreparable"?

"Irrevocable" means something cannot be changed or reversed, whereas "irreparable" means something cannot be repaired or restored. For example, an "irrevocable" decision cannot be retracted, while "irreparable" damage cannot be fixed.