irresistible

USAGE SUMMARY

"irresistible" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is too good or appealing to be resisted. For example, "The offer of a free trip to Maui was too irresistible to pass up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was particularly relevant to devolution, where Christie's role was crucial in creating an apparently irresistible demand for the delivery of a Scottish parliament.

The Guardian

Germany's staggering and irresistible progress through this tournament has propelled them yet a gain beyond fancied opposition.

The Guardian - Sport

A century and a half later, Baudelaire's note-taking again rings true: "At first, a certain absurd, irresistible hilarity overcomes you.

The Guardian - Books

That she's an irresistible mixture of delicate and dangerous?

The Guardian - Film

He won the fourth set on merit, and Djokovic similarly was irresistible in the fifth.

The Guardian - Sport

That mix is nigh-on irresistible for the station's target audience.

The Guardian

Even if it had, the IPCC, post-Hillsborough, has a discretion to investigate in exceptional circumstances – which can include the unusual gravity of the circumstances or an overwhelming, irresistible, public interest.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's an irresistible association, fitness and grown-up-ness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A few spoonfuls of preserved mustard greens are the magic seasoning that makes Sichuanese dry-fried beans irresistible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sadly, bringing politics into disrepute, which is blamed for the irresistible rise of political disillusionment – and of which the belief that politicians are habitually lying is a basic ingredient – goes unpunished in too many ways to single out this case from the rest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Holland 3-4 USas– as it happened If at times their attacking play was almost irresistible, even without the injured Arjen Robben, at the other end of the field the Netherlands looked every inch a nation that is languishing in third place in their Euro 2016 qualifying group, five points adrift of second-placed Iceland.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "irresistible" to describe something so appealing that it's nearly impossible to decline or oppose. For a stronger impact, pair it with concrete nouns, such as "irresistible offer" or "irresistible charm".

Common error

Avoid using "irresistible" for mildly appealing things. Reserve it for situations where the attractiveness or compelling nature is genuinely overwhelming.

Linguistic Context

Irresistible functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to modify nouns, describing them as possessing an extraordinary capacity to attract or entice. As Ludwig AI notes, it denotes something too good or appealing to be resisted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "irresistible" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term in English. Ludwig AI describes it as something too good or appealing to be resisted. It is commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts, denoting a high degree of attractiveness or persuasiveness. To enhance writing, use it for genuinely overwhelming appeals and avoid overuse in weaker contexts. Alternatives include ""impossible to resist"" and "utterly charming", offering nuanced ways to convey a compelling allure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impossible to resist

Focuses on the inability to oppose or decline something.

too tempting to refuse

Emphasizes the allure and appeal that makes refusal unlikely.

alluring and persuasive

Highlights the attractive and convincing qualities.

highly appealing

Directly states the strong level of attraction.

extremely attractive

Uses a more straightforward description of attractiveness.

utterly charming

Focuses on the pleasant and engaging qualities.

captivating and delightful

Highlights the entrancing and pleasing aspects.

completely fascinating

Emphasizes the absorbing and interesting nature.

siren call

Refers to a tempting but potentially dangerous lure.

magnetic pull

Describes a strong force of attraction or draw.

FAQs

How to use "irresistible" in a sentence?

"Irresistible" is used to describe something that is too attractive and tempting to be resisted. For instance, "The aroma of freshly baked bread was "impossible to resist"."

What can I say instead of "irresistible"?

You can use alternatives like "too tempting to refuse", "highly appealing", or "utterly charming" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "irresistible" or "unresistible"?

"Irresistible" is the correct and standard form. "Unresistible" is not a recognized word in the English language.

What's the difference between "irresistible" and "attractive"?

"Attractive" means pleasing or appealing, while "irresistible" suggests something is so appealing that it is impossible to resist. "Irresistible" implies a stronger, more compelling allure.