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 hit was a small smudge on Bruins ace Taylor Tinsley’s line, finishing with two strikeouts and three hits across the five innings.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
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Four nations will be making their debut next month, including tiny Curaçao, the smallest by population ever to qualify.—
James Robson,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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While that’s painful for house hunters, note that the surge was the 18th-smallest among states and trailed the 93% jump nationally.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While minor, the crashes point to challenges in object recognition and spatial awareness, particularly in complex parking or tight urban environments.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
The Porter County Election Board worked through some minor kinks with the county’s new voting equipment during the election certification at noon on Friday in the tabulation room of the Elections & Registration Office.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irreducible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreducible. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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