irresistible

[ir-i-zis-tuh-buhl]

adjective

1. not resistible; incapable of being resisted or withstood.

   an irresistible impulse.

2. lovable, especially calling forth feelings of protective love.

   an irresistible puppy.

3. enticing; tempting to possess.

   an irresistible necklace.

noun

1. an irresistible person or thing.

irresistible

/ ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbəl /

adjective

1. not able to be resisted or refused; overpowering

   an irresistible impulse

2. very fascinating or alluring

   an irresistible woman

Other Word Forms

• irresistibility noun
• irresistibleness noun
• irresistibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of irresistible¹

From the Medieval Latin word irresistibilis, dating back to 1590–1600. See ir- ², resistible

Example Sentences

From the 1960s through the late ’90s, spurred by the ready availability of cheap, calorie-dense food—engineered to be irresistible and offered in ever-larger portions—adult obesity rates in the U.S. more than doubled.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Stokes was irresistible in his first Test in Perth since making his maiden century at the Waca as a 22-year-old 12 years ago.

Read more on BBC

“Dazed and Confused” was what Rolling Stone called “the ultimate party movie—loud, crude, socially irresponsible and totally irresistible.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“This way, my lady,” Old Timothy’s voice took on an irresistible cooing tone.

Read more on Literature

It seems like the only choice a legacy company had at the turn of the century was to create more content and become irresistible.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alluring 
• charming 
• fascinating 
• inevitable 
• inexorable 
• invincible 
• overpowering 
• overwhelming 
• potent 
• powerful 
• seductive 
• tempting 
• unavoidable