Word
irresistible
Phoneticsir·re·sistible
US/ˌɪɹɪˈzɪstəbəɫ/
UK/ɪɹɪsˈɪstəbəl/
Definitions
01impossible to refuse
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. so strong or powerful that you cannot stop it or fight against it.
adj. impossible to resist or withstand; describing a force or impulse that cannot be countered.
“The evidence against the company was irresistible, and they quickly lost the court case.”
“The logic of the argument was irresistible, forcing even the most skeptical members of the board to reconsider their initial objections.”
Antonyms
02very attractive
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. so attractive or tempting that you want it very much.
adj. compellingly attractive or charming; having an intense appeal that makes refusal difficult.
“The smell of fresh bread from the bakery was irresistible to the hungry travelers.”
“She found the offer of a fully funded research position in Paris irresistible, despite her initial plans to stay in London.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“What she really wants, she said, is to make the unsexy stuff irresistible.” “Rarely have I read a character so ruthless and irresistible.” Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin irresistibilis, equivalent to ir- + resistible.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/irresistible