irresistible
Americanadjective
-
not resistible; incapable of being resisted or withstood.
an irresistible impulse.
-
lovable, especially calling forth feelings of protective love.
an irresistible puppy.
-
enticing; tempting to possess.
an irresistible necklace.
noun
adjective
-
not able to be resisted or refused; overpowering
an irresistible impulse
-
very fascinating or alluring
an irresistible woman
Other Word Forms
- irresistibility noun
- irresistibleness noun
- irresistibly adverb
Etymology
Origin of irresistible
From the Medieval Latin word irresistibilis, dating back to 1590–1600. See ir- 2, resistible
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Those were irresistible attributes during periods of ultralow interest rates.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
I had assumed that the obvious theatricality of such timing would be irresistible.
From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026
Despite morale-sapping staff layoffs, bizarre executive orders and a 43-day federal government shutdown last fall, the grandeur and serenity of national parks in California remain irresistible to outdoors lovers looking to unwind.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026
Despite all their flaws, excesses, the Games remain irresistible theater.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026
Heavy, irresistible waves of dreamless sleep broke over him; he fell back onto his pillows and thought no more.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
