difficult to resist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to resist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very appealing or tempting, making it hard for someone to say no or avoid it. Example: "The chocolate cake was so rich and decadent that it was difficult to resist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's more difficult to resist temptation.

The New York Times

"It will be difficult to resist".

The New York Times

It was very difficult to resist them.

The New Yorker

It was difficult to resist her.

The Guardian - Books

That kind of invitation is difficult to resist.

The New York Times

It's difficult to resist such hypnotic, freeing music.

Independent

Overall it was difficult to resist a sense of stagnation.

Independent

It is difficult to resist picking up a box turtle.

The New York Times

It is irresistible, actually physically difficult to resist.

The New York Times - Arts

The short-term pressures are just too difficult to resist.

Harvard Business Review

Lawmakers have found the patients difficult to resist.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "difficult to resist", consider the specific reason why it's hard to resist. Adding a detail (e.g., "difficult to resist because of its aroma") can make your writing more vivid and persuasive.

Common error

While "difficult to resist" is a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "irresistible" or "tempting" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to resist" functions as an adjective phrase typically modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating something possesses a quality that makes it challenging to avoid or refuse. As per Ludwig, the phrase usage is considered correct and can be found across many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to resist" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is highly tempting or compelling. Ludwig's analysis confirms its acceptability and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, media, science and formal business settings. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and perhaps use synonyms like "irresistible" or "hard to decline" to avoid repetition and enhance clarity. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irresistible

This is a more direct synonym, indicating that something is impossible to resist.

hard to turn down

Focuses specifically on offers or invitations, indicating they are very appealing.

hard to decline

This alternative focuses on the inability to refuse something, highlighting the compelling nature of the offer or situation.

tempting to avoid

This alternative emphasizes the allure and attractiveness of something, making it hard to keep away from.

challenging to decline

Similar to "hard to decline", this suggests that refusing is not easy due to various pressures or appeals.

compelling

This highlights the force or power that something has to attract or convince someone.

enticing

This suggests a deliberate effort to attract or tempt someone.

alluring

Similar to "enticing", but with a stronger emphasis on charm and attractiveness.

seductive

This implies a powerful and often subtle attraction that is hard to ignore.

unavoidable

This alternative implies that the situation must be faced and can't be escaped.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to resist" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to resist" to describe something that is very appealing or tempting. For example, "The aroma of freshly baked bread was difficult to resist".

What can I say instead of "difficult to resist"?

You can use alternatives like "irresistible", "tempting", or "hard to decline" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hard to resist" instead of "difficult to resist"?

Yes, "hard to resist" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "difficult to resist". Both phrases convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "difficult to resist" and "impossible to resist"?

"Difficult to resist" suggests that while something is very tempting, it is still theoretically possible to avoid it. "Impossible to resist", on the other hand, implies that there is no chance of avoiding the temptation.