irresistibly
gb/ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbli/ us/ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
so appealing you can’t refuse
in a way that makes you really want something and makes it hard to say no
Usage pattern:
be irresistibly attracted/drawn/tempted to [someone/something]; irresistibly + [adjective]
Common mistake:
Don’t use the adjective form after a verb (say “The smell was irresistible,” but “It smelled irresistibly sweet”). Also watch spelling: irresistible/irresistibly.
Synonyms
temptingly (Emphasizes causing desire, especially for food or pleasure.)
|
captivatingly (Emphasizes holding attention or fascination.)
|
seductively (Often suggests flirtation or sexual appeal.)
Antonyms
unappealingly (Suggests not attractive or tempting.)
|
repulsively (Suggests strongly unpleasant or off-putting.)
Collocations
irresistibly attractive
|irresistibly cute
|irresistibly charming
|irresistibly delicious
|irresistibly sweet
|irresistibly funny
|irresistibly tempting
|irresistibly romantic
|irresistibly drawn
|irresistibly attracted
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|food_and_drink
|shopping
Examples
- The bakery smelled irresistibly good, so we went in.
- She found him irresistibly charming from the moment they met.
- The video was short, simple, and irresistibly funny.
Learner examples
- This cake is irresistibly delicious.
- I was irresistibly tempted to buy it.
adverb
formal
C1
property
2
in a way that can’t be stopped
in a way that cannot be stopped
Usage pattern:
[something] moves/drives/pulls [someone/something] irresistibly toward [something/place/outcome]
Common mistake:
This meaning is less common and more formal; in everyday speech, people often prefer “inevitably” or “unstoppably.”
Synonyms
inevitably (Focuses on certainty of the outcome rather than force.)
|
unstoppably (Emphasizes that progress cannot be halted.)
|
inexorably (More formal; emphasizes steady, unavoidable movement.)
Antonyms
avoidably (Suggests the outcome could be prevented.)
|
hesitantly (Suggests slow, uncertain movement rather than being compelled.)
Collocations
irresistibly toward
|irresistibly forward
|irresistibly pulled
|irresistibly drawn
|irresistibly driven
|irresistibly carried
|irresistibly onward
|irresistibly to a conclusion
Themes
nature
|change
|time
Examples
- The current carried the small boat irresistibly downstream.
- Events seemed to move irresistibly toward a crisis.
- The evidence led irresistibly to the same conclusion.
Learner examples
- The river pulled the leaves irresistibly downstream.
Grammar
Dictionary form
irresistibly
IPA
GB/ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbli/
US/ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbli/
Syllables & stress
ir - res - ist - ibly (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ist)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: irresistibly
- Plural: irresistiblies
Word family
Forms
irresistiblies
noun
Core family
Advanced or less common
resistible
adjective
Expressions
irresistibly attracted to
1/ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbli ətɹˈæktɪd tə/
fixed phrase
strong attraction, often romantic
feel a very strong (often romantic) attraction to someone
Examples
- She was irresistibly attracted to his voice.
- They were irresistibly attracted to each other from the start.
- I’m irresistibly attracted to bright colors in design.
irresistibly drawn to
1/ˌɪɹɪzˈɪstəbli dɹˈɔn tə/
fixed phrase
feel a strong attraction
feel a very strong interest in someone or something
Examples
- He was irresistibly drawn to her confidence.
- Tourists are irresistibly drawn to the old town at sunset.
- As a child, she felt irresistibly drawn to music.