irrepressible

1 of 2

adjective

ir·​re·​press·​ible ˌir-i-ˈpre-sə-bəl How to pronounce irrepressible (audio)
Synonyms of irrepressiblenext
: impossible to repress, restrain, or control
irrepressible curiosity
irrepressibility
ˌir-i-ˌpre-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce irrepressible (audio)
noun
irrepressibly
ˌir-i-ˈpre-sə-blē How to pronounce irrepressible (audio)
adverb

irrepressibility

2 of 2

noun

ir·​repressibility ¦i How to pronounce irrepressibility (audio)
¦ir, 
¦iə+
plural -es
: the quality or state of being irrepressible
his constant irrepressibility

Examples of irrepressible in a Sentence

Adjective She has an irrepressible sense of humor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
But with Keegan irrepressible and the team a developing force, Liverpool were champions twice more, in 1975-76 and 1976-77. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 Nearby, the irrepressible older artist Nina Yankowitz, who completed a retrospective of her six-decade-long career at the Parrish earlier this year, was talking to Joan Semmel, 93, in a dress adorned with stars. — Vanessa Grigoriadis, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026 The hero of the story is not the strongest nor the bravest warrior, but someone who continually gets his friends out of danger through his quick thinking and his irrepressible wit. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 17 July 2026 Maradona, on the other hand, was a charismatic populist, a scalawag from a shantytown, irrepressible and impudent. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for irrepressible

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irrepressible was in 1811

Rhymes for irrepressible

See All Rhymes for irrepressible

Browse Nearby Words

irrepressibility
irrepressible
irrepressibleness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irrepressible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irrepressible. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

irrepressible

adjective
ir·​re·​press·​ible ˌir-i-ˈpres-ə-bəl How to pronounce irrepressible (audio)
: impossible to repress or control
irrepressible curiosity
irrepressibility
-ˌpres-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce irrepressible (audio)
noun
irrepressibly
-ˈpres-ə-blē How to pronounce irrepressible (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irrepressible

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for irrepressible

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