irresistible
UK[ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbl]US[ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbl]
adj
too attractive or strong to be resisted or refused.
adj
(of a feeling or impulse) too powerful to be controlled or stopped.
Morpheme Breakdown
ir
resist
ible
ir
not
resist
withstand
ible
capable of being
Etymology
the word 'irresistible' is a compound formed from latin elements. the negative prefix 'in-' (which assimilates to 'ir-' before 'r') was combined with the verb 'resistere', meaning 'to stand back, withstand'. the suffix '-ibilis' was then added to create an adjective meaning 'capable of being withstood'. over time, the literal meaning of 'not capable of being withstood' evolved into the modern abstract sense describing something so powerful, appealing, or compelling that opposition is futile. this semantic shift reflects a movement from a physical or military context of resistance to one encompassing emotional, psychological, and metaphorical force.
Analysis
Structure: ir (not) + resist (withstand) + ible (capable of being)
ir: latin origin, a variant of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not'.
resist: from latin 'resistere', meaning 'to withstand, oppose'.
ible: from latin suffix '-ibilis', meaning 'capable of being', forming adjectives.
Examples
the offer of a free dessert was simply irresistible.
she felt an irresistible urge to laugh during the serious speech.
his argument was backed by an irresistible logic.