# irresistible

/ˌɪɹɪˈzɪstəbəɫ/ (US) · /ɪɹɪsˈɪstəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/irresistible
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. impossible to refuse

adjective · CEFR B2

so strong or powerful that you cannot stop it or fight against it.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. very attractive

adjective · CEFR B2

so attractive or tempting that you want it very much.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The smell of fresh bread is irresistible.
- The bakery window was filled with such irresistible treats that I had to stop and buy something.
- The defense attorney presented an irresistible case, combining forensic evidence with a narrative so logical that the jury reached a verdict in record time.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.