irretrievably broken

Meanings

1. 1phraseformal

   so damaged that it cannot be repaired or made to work again.

   Grammar: Used as an adjective phrase after a linking verb like 'be' or 'become': The marriage is irretrievably broken.

   Patterns

   • be irretrievably broken
   • become irretrievably broken
   • an irretrievably broken marriage

   The trust between them was irretrievably broken after the betrayal.

   The machine was irretrievably broken and had to be replaced.

   Their relationship seemed irretrievably broken.

2. 2phraselegal

   in law, a marriage that has failed so completely that it cannot be saved, used as grounds for divorce.

   Grammar: A fixed legal phrase; often appears as 'irretrievably broken marriage' or 'the marriage is irretrievably broken'.

   Patterns

   • irretrievably broken marriage
   • the marriage is irretrievably broken

   She filed for divorce on the grounds that the marriage was irretrievably broken.

   The court found the marriage irretrievably broken and granted the divorce.

Common combinations

irretrievably broken marriage

The judge declared the marriage irretrievably broken.

irretrievably broken relationship

After years of conflict, they had an irretrievably broken relationship.

irretrievably broken system

Many voters believe the political system is irretrievably broken.

Synonyms and how they differ

beyond repair

This is a more general phrase; 'irretrievably broken' is stronger and often used in legal contexts.

unsalvageable

Unsalvageable means cannot be saved from loss or destruction; 'irretrievably broken' focuses on damage that cannot be fixed.

Opposites

Word family

irretrievable adjective

Impossible to recover or get back.

irretrievably adverb

In a way that cannot be recovered or repaired.

Commonly confused: irretrievably broken or irreparable?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “irretrievably broken”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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