irrepressible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irrepressible" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something that cannot be restrained or held back, often in a lively or enthusiastic manner. Example: Her irrepressible spirit brought joy to everyone around her. Alternative expressions include "uncontrollable" and "unquenchable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He may be near-deaf, he's getting on, but he remains in boisterous, cantankerous and irrepressible spirit.

The Guardian - Arts

Wanderers were broken, the din driving the home side on with the slippery pace and movement of their front line irrepressible.

The Guardian - Sport

But if there is one woman who proved an irrepressible force when it came to helping us understand, enjoy and admire the role of sporting women, it was Clare Balding.

The Guardian

His irrepressible tongue also caused difficulties with other politicians.

The Guardian

"We stand defiant, and in our great and vibrant and irrepressible city we stand hand in hand to go forward into the light".

The Guardian

So it seems only right to bring you the first (but, one suspects, not the last) Guardian Cities rundown of the best things about the cities you live or work in, starting with this irrepressible description of the Bariga district of Lagos, by Craig Adekunle Adesina: "I love the oppressively humid air, the desperately ambitious people.

The Guardian

The driver, who arrived in an explosion of laughter and messy blond hair, was an irrepressible force of nature who went by the name of Eglantine.

The Guardian - Travel

60ec2d85-a083-432e-8036-90bedc7adfa4 Chelsea remain unbeaten but what once was an irrepressible rhythm has been checked.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, it was hard to escape her ubiquitous 1992 hit "I Will Always Love You" from the film "The Bodyguard"; that irrepressible voice of hers has a way of sweeping up even reluctant listeners.

The Economist

So he hopes the irrepressible Mr Cohn-Bendit, by launching the Greens' campaign so early, will burn himself out.Maybe.

The Economist

Now Kyushu has to face the disadvantages of having become a "branch-factory" economy with decisions about its future made dispassionately by bean-counters in Tokyo, Dallas or Taipei.One solution, say Kyushu's irrepressible optimists, is to redouble their efforts to entice such outsiders with grants, low-interest loans and special tax breaks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this adjective with abstract nouns like "spirit", "optimism", "curiosity" or "rhythm" to maximize its evocative power.

Common error

Do not use the non-standard form "unrepressible". Although it might seem logical, "irrepressible" is the correct Latinate form. Additionally, ensure you are not using it as a synonym for "annoying"; while something irrepressible might be insistent, the word typically carries a more neutral or positive connotation of vibrancy.

Linguistic Context

The word "irrepressible" functions as an adjective that characterizes a noun as being impossible to control or silence. As noted in Ludwig, it is frequently used in attributive positions (e.g., "irrepressible spirit") to provide a permanent or inherent quality to the subject. Ludwig AI highlights its utility in describing both people and abstract market forces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Arts & Culture

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Social Media

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

A comprehensive analysis of the search data reveals that "irrepressible" is a robust and widely used adjective in elite English-language publications. With 60 distinct examples from sources like The Economist and The Guardian, it is clear that the term is favored for its ability to describe persistent human qualities and market trends. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suggests that it is best used to describe things that cannot be contained, such as an "irrepressible optimism" or an "irrepressible force". Writers should favor this Latinate form over non-standard variations to maintain a high level of linguistic sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncontrollable

General term for something that cannot be managed or restrained

unrestrainable

Emphasizes the physical or literal inability to hold something back

unquenchable

Usually refers to a desire or thirst that cannot be satisfied

unstoppable

Simpler term focusing on continuous forward motion

indomitable

Often describes a spirit or will that cannot be defeated

ebullient

Focuses specifically on high-spirited, cheerful and energetic behavior

irrepressibly

The adverbial form of the word used to modify verbs or adjectives

buoyant

Describes a cheerful and optimistic personality that bounces back easily

undefeatable

Focuses on the impossibility of being conquered in a contest

resilient

Focuses more on the ability to recover than on the initial lack of control

FAQs

What does "irrepressible" mean in a sentence?

In a sentence, "irrepressible" describes something that cannot be restrained or held back. For example, in Ludwig you can see it used to describe an "irrepressible spirit" or an "irrepressible desire".

Can I use "uncontrollable" instead of "irrepressible"?

Yes, you can use "uncontrollable" as a synonym, though "irrepressible" often sounds more sophisticated and is more frequently used to describe positive traits like enthusiasm or optimism.

Is "unrepressible" a word?

No, you should use "irrepressible". While some people might use "unrepressible" in casual speech, it is considered a spelling error in formal writing. You can find correct usage examples of "irrepressible" on Ludwig to guide your writing.

What is the difference between "irrepressible" and "unstoppable"?

While "unstoppable" focuses on something that cannot be halted in its movement, "irrepressible" specifically suggests a quality that cannot be kept down or hidden. You might call a fast runner unstoppable, but a happy child is often described as irrepressible.