as in small
formal
not able to be made smaller or simpler
They thought the world was made up of four irreducible elements: earth, air, fire, and water. an irreducible fraction
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Recent Examples of irreducible
Slightness in such instances means irreducible.
—
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The most basic and irreducible requirements of meaningful transformations push against our wiring because big changes to form and structure introduce complexity, require time, and are defined by paradox.
—Brené Brown, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
The Doomsday Clock is also political, picturing conditions that collectively contribute to the irreducible reality of a world in peril.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Policymakers should challenge the presumption that there is an irreducible tradeoff between data analysis and privacy—the notion that although more data may improve the accuracy of models for the public good, the cost to privacy is too high.
—Andrew Imbrie, Foreign Affairs, 19 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for irreducible
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The most basic and irreducible requirements of meaningful transformations push against our wiring because big changes to form and structure introduce complexity, require time, and are defined by paradox.
—Brené Brown, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
The Doomsday Clock is also political, picturing conditions that collectively contribute to the irreducible reality of a world in peril.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Policymakers should challenge the presumption that there is an irreducible tradeoff between data analysis and privacy—the notion that although more data may improve the accuracy of models for the public good, the cost to privacy is too high.
—Andrew Imbrie, Foreign Affairs, 19 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for irreducible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreducible
Adjective
-
The cab’s dark interior seems to lure Rauschenberg in, but perhaps he was also drawn to the small round window, like a porthole, above the seat, which looks out at the distance behind the carriage.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Consider reshuffling your to-do list, because a small shift could save money and protect your energy.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, at home, small appliances might break down or a minor breakage could occur.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The restaurant became a minor sensation—the titular dish is terrific, silken and subtle and rich, but what most stood out was a rotating lineup of specials, mostly hawker-style Malaysian fare, particularly the food of Klang, his parents’ home town, on Malaysia’s western coast.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irreducible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreducible. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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