What does irremissible mean?
Irremissible means impossible to resist or extremely difficult to overcome. It is a formal, literary alternative to the more familiar “irresistible,” and it is especially effective when describing an impulse, attraction, or compelling force. The word can suggest something more absolute than ordinary enthusiasm: a demand, desire, or pressure that seems to leave no meaningful choice. For example, an irremissible urge is not simply a preference but a powerful compulsion. Although “irresistible” is widely understood and suitable in everyday speech, “irremissible” can give a description greater emphasis and a more elevated tone. It appears especially in formal writing, literary analysis, and discussions of psychology, emotion, or persuasion.
adjectiveImpossible or extremely difficult to resist; irresistible.
- Impossible or extremely difficult to resist; irresistible.
"She felt an irremissible urge to laugh during the serious meeting."
"The campaign created an irrempressible demand for immediate change."
"His irremissible curiosity led him to study the subject for many years."
Some temptations are merely strong; an irremissible impulse feels impossible to refuse.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does irremissible come from?
The word was formed in English from the Latin root associated with “remittere,” meaning “to send back,” together with the Latin negative prefix in- and the suffix -ible, expressing “not able to be sent back or set aside.” Its development led to the notion of something that cannot be resisted, rejected, or relinquished. English cognates include “remit,” “remission,” “permissible,” and “remissible,” all sharing the Latin root mittere, “to send.”
Related word forms
How irremissible is actually used
More formal and literary than the everyday word “irresistible”; it often describes an impulse, attraction, or force that cannot be controlled.
Easily confused with irremissible
Irresistible means impossible to resist and is the common everyday word, while irremissible is a more formal and literary equivalent.