irresistible
gb/ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbəl/ us/ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbəl/
B2
English
~ 5400
ellenállhatatlan, feltartóztathatatlan, megállíthatatlan
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] finds [something] irresistible
The cookies looked so irresistible that I ate three in a row.
A sütik olyan ellenállhatatlannak látszottak, hogy egymás után hármat is megettem.
He flashed an irresistible smile that made everyone relax.
Ellenállhatatlan mosolyt villantott, amitől mindenki felengedett.
Streaming services try to create irresistible deals to attract new customers.
She has an irresistible charm that makes people open up to her.
The view from the top of the mountain was simply irresistible to photographers.
Learner examples
The cake smells irresistible, so I want a piece.
A tortának ellenállhatatlan illata van, ezért szeretnék belőle egy szeletet.
Many people find kittens irresistible.
Sokan ellenállhatatlannak találják a kiscicákat.
This is an irresistible offer; I cannot say no.
His jokes are irresistible, and everyone laughs.
The ad makes the phone look irresistible.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "irresistible" with "irritable" or "irritating". "Irresistible" means something is so attractive you cannot say no, while "irritable" means someone gets angry easily, and "irritating" means something makes you annoyed. Another mistake is using it for the person who feels the attraction (e.g., *"I am irresistible to eat chocolate"*). Instead say, "Chocolate is irresistible" or "I find chocolate irresistible."
Meaning
too attractive or pleasant to refuse
Collocations
find [something] irresistible
|almost irresistible
|absolutely irresistible
|irresistible offer
|irresistible charm
|irresistible dessert
Synonyms
tempting (Suggests a strong desire to accept or do something, often when you know you probably should not.)
|
alluring (Emphasizes a mysterious or sensual attraction, often used for people or places.)
|
compelling (Stresses that something strongly holds your attention or interest, not always about pleasure.)
Antonyms
unappealing (Lacks attraction or interest, so people do not want it.)
|
resistible (Can be refused or resisted; the direct logical opposite but much less common in everyday speech.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|food
|advertising
|core_vocabulary
Definition
So nice or attractive that people cannot say no to it or stay away from it.
So attractive, enjoyable, or appealing that people feel unable to refuse, avoid, or say no to it.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is irresistible
The army's advance seemed irresistible despite fierce resistance.
A hadsereg előrenyomulása a heves ellenállás ellenére feltartóztathatatlannak tűnt.
There is irresistible pressure on the company to change its policies.
A vállalatra ellenállhatatlan erejű nyomás nehezedik, hogy változtasson az irányelvein.
Some economists describe the shift to digital payments as an irresistible trend.
The storm hit the coast with an almost irresistible force.
The movement gained irresistible momentum after the protests.
Learner examples
The river has an irresistible current after heavy rain.
Nagy eső után feltartóztathatatlan a folyó sodrása.
There was irresistible pressure on him to resign.
Ellenállhatatlan nyomás nehezedett rá, hogy lemondjon.
The team played with irresistible force in the second half.
Some people think technology change is irresistible.
The city's growth now seems irresistible.
Common mistake:
Learners may use this sense when they only mean "very strong". "Irresistible" here means something cannot be stopped or successfully opposed, not just that it is powerful.
Meaning
too strong to be stopped or opposed
Collocations
irresistible force
|almost irresistible
|irresistible pressure
|irresistible advance
|seemingly irresistible
|irresistible momentum
Synonyms
unstoppable (Very close in meaning; focuses on the fact that something cannot be stopped.)
|
overwhelming (Emphasizes being so strong that it defeats opposition, sometimes also suggesting emotional impact.)
Antonyms
stoppable (Can be stopped; directly contrasts with a force or process that cannot be stopped.)
|
resistible (Can be resisted or opposed successfully; logical opposite but less common.)
Themes
conflict
|abstract
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
So strong that no one can stop it or fight against it.
Too powerful or strong to be successfully resisted, stopped, or opposed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
irresistible
IPA
GB/ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbəl/
US/ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbəl/
Syllables & stress
ir - res - ist - ible (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ist)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: irresistible
- Comparative: irresistibler
- Superlative: irresistiblest
Word family
Forms
irresistibler
adjective
irresistiblest
adjective
Core family
Related words
irresistibly
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
resistible
adjective
Advanced or less common
irresistibility
noun
Expressions
an irresistible force
1/ən ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbəl fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
force that cannot be stopped
A physical or abstract power that is so strong no one can stop it.
Examples
- The hurricane struck the coast like an irresistible force.
- For many voters, the desire for change became an irresistible force.
- The team moved up the field with an almost irresistible force.
an irresistible offer
1/ən ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbəl ˈɔfɚ/
fixed phrase
offer too good to refuse
An offer that is so good or attractive that people feel they must say yes.
Examples
- The company made her an irresistible offer to join their team.
- Travel agencies often advertise an irresistible offer on summer holidays.
- He received an irresistible offer to buy his house at a very high price.
an irresistible urge
1/ən ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbəl ˈɚd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
very strong, hard-to-control desire
A feeling of wanting to do something so strongly that you feel you cannot stop yourself.
Examples
- I felt an irresistible urge to check my phone every few minutes.
- She had an irresistible urge to laugh during the serious meeting.
- He fought an irresistible urge to shout back.
find [something] irresistible
1/fˈaɪnd sˈʌmθɪŋ ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbəl/
fixed phrase
feel unable to resist something
To think something is so attractive, nice, or interesting that you cannot say no to it.
Examples
- Many people find dark chocolate irresistible.
- She finds his sense of humor irresistible.
- Children often find video games irresistible.