If you describe something such as a desire or force as irresistible, you mean that it is so powerful that it makes you act in a certain way, and there is nothing you can do to prevent this.
It proved an irresistible temptation to Hall to go back.
...irresistible pressure from the financial markets.
They feel the case for change is irresistible.
Synonyms: inescapable, inevitable, unavoidable, sure More Synonyms of irresistible
irresistibly (ɪrɪzɪstɪbli)adverb [ADVERB with verb]
I found myself irresistibly drawn to Steve's world.
2. adjective
If you describe something or someone as irresistible, you mean that they are so good or attractive that you cannot stop yourself from liking them or wanting them.
[informal]
The music is irresistible.
...irresistible granary bread.
Synonyms: seductive, inviting, tempting, enticing More Synonyms of irresistible
irresistiblyadverb [ADVERB adjective]
She had a gamine charm which men found irresistibly attractive.
More Synonyms of irresistible
irresistible in British English
(ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbəl)
adjective
1.
not able to be resisted or refused; overpowering
an irresistible impulse
2.
very fascinating or alluring
an irresistible woman
Derived forms
irresistibility (ˌirreˌsistiˈbility) or irresistibleness (ˌirreˈsistibleness)
noun
irresistibly (ˌirreˈsistibly)
adverb
irresistible in American English
(ˌɪrrɪˈzɪstəbəl)
adjective
that cannot be resisted; too strong, fascinating, compelling, etc. to be withstood
Derived forms
irresistibility (ˌirreˌsistiˈbility)
noun or ˌirreˈsistibleness
irresistibly (ˌirreˈsistibly)
adverb
Word origin
LL irresistibilis
Examples of 'irresistible' in a sentence
irresistible
Do you want to become irresistible to women?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But when it comes to love, a match of opposites could prove to be irresistible.
The Sun (2016)
The pair prove as irresistible to each other as an itch to a scratch.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Up front they can be an irresistible force.
The Sun (2015)
Slick dance production with classic songwriting at its heart was an irresistible combination.
The Sun (2013)
The temptation to take the news personally is almost irresistible.
Christianity Today (2000)
THERE'S something irresistible about the idea of a second home.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Soon it would become an irresistible force.
Francis Pryor BRITAIN BC: Life In Britain and Ireland before the Romans (2003)
The coalition hopes the combination of external economic sanctions and internal rebel pressure will prove irresistible.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Those who encourage this attitude may not know not what irresistible forces they may be unleashing.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Maybe it is that irresistible combination of eccentricity and vulnerability.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It is a challenge that is proving almost irresistible to the wonderful winger.
The Sun (2008)
But there is something irresistible about their shiny covers and undoubted front.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But doctrinal changes were to become irresistible.
Frank Welsh THE FOUR NATIONS: A History of the United Kingdom (2002)
This is what happens when an irresistible force meets an impotent object.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Camera phones and the net have proven an irresistible combination.
The Sun (2013)
The cast are exceptional, the music irresistible and the staging full of flair.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But the city's charm becomes irresistible at the seaside.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Perhaps that's because the live music suddenly proves irresistible.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And he does it with irresistible charm, glee and heart.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Twitter has proved irresistible to other would-be leaders.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The strength of the pound makes Berlin almost irresistible.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I have an irresistible desire to move my legs and it is much worse at night.
The Sun (2012)
This, to his irresistible music, is his story.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But the energy, conviction and good humour of the performance was such that they made their life-affirming point with irresistible charm.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
irresistible
British English: irresistible ADJECTIVE
If you describe something such as a desire or force as irresistible, you mean that it is so powerful that it makes you act in a certain way, and there is nothing you can do to prevent this.
It proved an irresistible temptation to him to go back.
American English: irresistible
Brazilian Portuguese: irresistível
Chinese: 无法抑制的
European Spanish: irresistible
French: irrésistible
German: unwiderstehlich
Italian: irresistibile
Japanese: 抑えがたい
Korean: 저항할 수 없는
European Portuguese: irresistível
Latin American Spanish: irresistible
Chinese translation of 'irresistible'
irresistible
(ɪrɪˈzɪstɪbl)
adj
[urge, desire]压(壓)不住的 (yā bù zhù de)
[person, charm, food]无(無)法抗拒的 (wúfǎ kàngjù de)
[force, pressure]不可抗拒的 (bù kě kàngjù de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
not able to be resisted or refused
It proved an irresistible temptation to go back.
Synonyms
overwhelming
She felt an overwhelming desire to laugh out loud.
compelling
Another, probably more compelling, factor is that of safety.
overpowering
The desire for revenge can be overpowering.
urgent
There is an urgent need for food and water.
potent
a potent electoral message
imperative
It's imperative to know your rights at such a time.
compulsive
an almost compulsive desire to play tricks
uncontrollable
When he lost his temper, he was uncontrollable.
overmastering
2 (adjective)
Definition
extremely attractive
The music is irresistible.
Synonyms
seductive
His voice is seductive.
inviting
The February air was soft, cool and inviting.
tempting
Resisting tempting goodies becomes a measure of your success.
enticing
the enticing prospect of a night on the town
provocative
sexually provocative behaviour
fascinating
Her stories were fascinating.
enchanting
She's an absolutely enchanting child.
captivating
beguiling
an immaculately dressed 60-year old with a beguiling smile
alluring
People found his unflappable and cool persona alluring.
bewitching
ravishing
She looked ravishing.
3 (adjective)
They feel the case for change is irresistible.
Synonyms
inescapable
A sense of imminent doom was inescapable.
inevitable
The defeat had inevitable consequences for policy.
unavoidable
Managers said the job losses were unavoidable.
sure
Another victory is now sure.
certain
They intervened to save him from certain death.
fated
I was fated never to get there.
destined
He feels that he was destined to become a musician.
inexorable
the seemingly inexorable rise in unemployment
ineluctable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alluring
People found his unflappable and cool persona alluring.
Synonyms
attractive,
fascinating,
enchanting,
seductive,
tempting,
sexy,
intriguing,
fetching (informal),
glamorous,
captivating,
beguiling,
bewitching,
come-hither,
hot (informal)
in the sense of beguiling
Definition
charming, often in a deceptive way
an immaculately dressed 60-year old with a beguiling smile
Synonyms
charming,
interesting,
pleasing,
attractive,
engaging,
lovely,
entertaining,
pleasant,
intriguing,
diverting,
delightful,
irresistible,
enchanting,
seductive,
captivating,
enthralling,
winning,
eye-catching,
alluring,
bewitching,
delectable,
winsome,
likable or likeable
in the sense of certain
Definition
sure or bound
They intervened to save him from certain death.
Synonyms
inevitable,
unavoidable,
inescapable,
inexorable,
ineluctable
Synonyms of 'irresistible'
irresistible
Explore 'irresistible' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of compelling
Another, probably more compelling, factor is that of safety.
Synonyms
pressing,
binding,
urgent,
overriding,
imperative,
unavoidable,
coercive,
peremptory
in the sense of compulsive
Definition
irresistible or absorbing
an almost compulsive desire to play tricks
Synonyms
irresistible,
overwhelming,
compelling,
urgent,
besetting,
uncontrollable,
driving
in the sense of destined
Definition
certain to be or do something
He feels that he was destined to become a musician.
Synonyms
fated,
meant,
intended,
designed,
certain,
bound,
doomed,
ordained,
predestined,
foreordained
in the sense of enchanting
She's an absolutely enchanting child.
Synonyms
delightful,
fascinating,
appealing,
attractive,
lovely,
charming,
entrancing,
pleasant,
endearing,
captivating,
alluring,
bewitching,
ravishing,
winsome,
Orphean
in the sense of enticing
the enticing prospect of a night on the town
Synonyms
attractive,
appealing,
inviting,
charming,
fascinating,
tempting,
intriguing,
irresistible,
persuasive,
seductive,
captivating,
beguiling,
alluring
in the sense of fascinating
Her stories were fascinating.
Synonyms
captivating,
engaging,
gripping,
compelling,
intriguing,
very interesting,
irresistible,
enticing,
enchanting,
seductive,
riveting,
alluring,
bewitching,
ravishing,
engrossing
in the sense of fated
Definition
certain to be or do something
I was fated never to get there.
Synonyms
destined,
doomed,
predestined,
preordained,
foreordained,
pre-elected
in the sense of imperative
Definition
extremely urgent
It's imperative to know your rights at such a time.
Synonyms
urgent,
essential,
pressing,
vital,
crucial (informal),
compulsory,
indispensable,
obligatory,
exigent
in the sense of inevitable
Definition
unavoidable
The defeat had inevitable consequences for policy.
Synonyms
unavoidable,
inescapable,
inexorable,
sure,
certain,
necessary,
settled,
fixed,
assured,
fated,
decreed,
destined,
ordained,
predetermined,
predestined,
preordained,
ineluctable,
unpreventable
in the sense of inexorable
Definition
unable to be prevented from continuing or progressing
the seemingly inexorable rise in unemployment
Synonyms
unrelenting,
relentless,
implacable,
hard,
severe,
harsh,
cruel,
adamant,
inescapable,
inflexible,
merciless,
unyielding,
immovable,
remorseless,
pitiless,
unbending,
obdurate,
ineluctable,
unappeasable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of inviting
Definition
tempting or attractive
The February air was soft, cool and inviting.
Synonyms
tempting,
appealing,
attractive,
pleasing,
welcoming,
warm,
engaging,
fascinating,
intriguing,
magnetic,
delightful,
enticing,
seductive,
captivating,
beguiling,
alluring,
mouthwatering
in the sense of overpowering
The desire for revenge can be overpowering.
Synonyms
overwhelming,
powerful,
extreme,
compelling,
irresistible,
breathtaking,
compulsive,
invincible,
uncontrollable
in the sense of potent
Definition
(of arguments) persuasive or forceful
a potent electoral message
Synonyms
persuasive,
telling,
convincing,
effective,
impressive,
compelling,
forceful,
cogent
in the sense of provocative
Definition
provoking or inciting, esp. to anger or sexual desire
sexually provocative behaviour
Synonyms
suggestive,
tempting,
stimulating,
exciting,
inviting,
sexy (informal),
arousing,
erotic,
seductive,
alluring,
tantalizing
in the sense of ravishing
Definition
lovely or delightful
She looked ravishing.
Synonyms
enchanting,
beautiful,
lovely,
stunning (informal),
charming,
entrancing,
gorgeous (informal),
dazzling,
delightful,
radiant,
drop-dead (slang),
bewitching
in the sense of sure
Definition
bound to be or occur
Another victory is now sure.
Synonyms
inevitable,
guaranteed,
bound,
assured,
in the bag (slang),
inescapable,
irrevocable,
ineluctable,
nailed-on (slang)
in the sense of tempting
Definition
attractive or inviting
Resisting tempting goodies becomes a measure of your success.