unstoppable
gb/ʌnstˈɑpəbəl/ us/ʌnstˈɑpəbəl/
B2
English
megállíthatatlan, fékezhetetlen
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is unstoppable
The floodwaters were unstoppable once the dam broke.
Miután átszakadt a gát, az árvíz megállíthatatlanná vált.
The company’s expansion looked unstoppable for several years.
A vállalat terjeszkedése több éven át megállíthatatlannak tűnt.
With enough political support, the bill’s passage became unstoppable.
Learner examples
The train was unstoppable on the icy track.
A vonatot nem lehetett megállítani a jeges síneken.
The virus spread felt unstoppable.
A vírus terjedése megállíthatatlannak tűnt.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with 'uncontrollable' (about controlling yourself or your feelings); 'unstoppable' often focuses on something continuing despite obstacles.
Meaning
impossible to stop or prevent
Collocations
unstoppable force
|unstoppable momentum
|unstoppable advance
|unstoppable rise
|unstoppable growth
|unstoppable spread
|unstoppable machine
|unstoppable fire
|unstoppable storm
|unstoppable trend
Synonyms
inexorable (More formal; emphasizes that something continues and cannot be avoided.)
|
irrepressible (Often used for feelings, energy, or behavior that keeps showing itself.)
|
irresistible (Emphasizes that it cannot be resisted, not just that it continues.)
Antonyms
stoppable (Can be stopped or brought under control.)
|
preventable (Can be stopped before it happens.)
Themes
daily_life
|news
|technology
Definition
If something is unstoppable, you cannot stop it.
Impossible to stop, prevent, or slow down, especially once it has started.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is unstoppable
After halftime, she was unstoppable and scored three times.
A félidő után megállíthatatlan volt, és három gólt szerzett.
He’s been unstoppable since he started training seriously.
Amióta komolyan edz, megállíthatatlan.
The startup looked unstoppable until investors pulled out.
Learner examples
Our team was unstoppable today.
A csapatunk ma megállíthatatlan volt.
She feels unstoppable when she works with her best friend.
Megállíthatatlannak érzi magát, amikor a legjobb barátjával dolgozik együtt.
Common mistake:
Avoid using it for a single small action; it usually describes a strong period of success or drive.
Meaning
hard to defeat or slow down
Collocations
unstoppable player
|unstoppable team
|unstoppable striker
|unstoppable champion
|unstoppable performer
|unstoppable drive
|unstoppable energy
|unstoppable determination
|unstoppable run
|unstoppable campaign
Synonyms
relentless (Emphasizes continuous effort or pressure, sometimes in a harsher way.)
|
driven (Focuses on strong motivation rather than being impossible to stop.)
|
invincible (Suggests cannot be defeated at all; often an exaggeration.)
Antonyms
beatable (Able to be defeated in competition.)
|
discouraged (Lacking confidence or motivation to keep going.)
Themes
sports
|work
|business
Definition
If a person or team is unstoppable, they keep succeeding and are hard to stop.
So effective, determined, or energetic that other people cannot easily defeat or stop them.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
unstoppable [noun] (e.g., laughter/tears/coughing)
The video set off unstoppable laughter in the room.
A videó fékezhetetlen nevetést váltott ki a szobában.
She tried to speak, but the tears were unstoppable.
Megpróbált megszólalni, de nem tudta visszatartani a könnyeit.
He had an unstoppable coughing fit all night.
Learner examples
I had unstoppable laughter during the movie.
A film közben fékezhetetlen nevetés tört rám.
Her tears were unstoppable.
Nem tudta visszatartani a könnyeit.
Common mistake:
In this sense, it commonly modifies nouns like 'laughter' or 'tears'; for a person, it usually means 'hard to defeat' (another meaning).
Meaning
hard to stop once started
Collocations
unstoppable laughter
|unstoppable giggling
|unstoppable tears
|unstoppable crying
|unstoppable coughing
|unstoppable sneezing
|unstoppable shaking
|unstoppable panic
|unstoppable itching
|unstoppable grin
Synonyms
uncontrollable (Most direct synonym when talking about emotions or bodily reactions.)
|
irrepressible (Often used for laughter or enthusiasm that keeps coming out.)
Antonyms
controllable (Able to be managed or stopped.)
|
restrained (Kept under control, especially emotions or reactions.)
Themes
emotions
|health
|daily_life
Definition
If something like laughter is unstoppable, you cannot stop it.
Difficult or impossible to stop yourself from doing, feeling, or experiencing once it begins.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unstoppable
IPA
GB/ʌnstˈɑpəbəl/
US/ʌnstˈɑpəbəl/
Syllables & stress
un - stop - pable (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (stop)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unstoppable
Expressions
unstoppable force
1/ʌnstˈɑpəbəl fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
very powerful person or trend
An unstoppable force is something very powerful that is hard to stop.
Examples
- Online shopping has become an unstoppable force in retail.
- She built an unstoppable force of volunteers for the campaign.
- The new competitor entered the market like an unstoppable force.
Learner examples
- Social media is an unstoppable force now.
when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object
1/wˈɛn ən ʌnstˈɑpəbəl fˈɔɹs mˈits ən ɪmˈuvəbəl ˈɑbd͡ʒɛkt/
idiom
clash of two strong forces
It means two very strong sides are fighting and neither will easily change.
Examples
- The debate felt like when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.
- The final was billed as a case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.
- Their negotiation turned into the classic unstoppable-force-versus-immovable-object scenario.