irrevocable

What does “irrevocable” mean?

adjective.not able to be changed, reversed, or recovered; final.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in contexts related to law, decisions, or emotional experiences, emphasizing the permanence of choices or consequences. It implies a weighty finality, suggesting that once a decision is made, it cannot be undone, which distinguishes it from similar words like "temporary" or "reversible," which imply the possibility of change or recovery.

Common Confusions

Irrevocable implies a finality that cannot be changed, while amendable usually suggests that something can be altered or improved.

Example Sentences

• Once signed, the agreement would be irrevocable and binding.

Word Parts: How to Remember “irrevocable”

Break “irrevocable” into its parts: ir- (not) + -voc- (voice, call). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ir- not (Latin)
• Root: -voc- voice, call (Latin)