irrepressible
pronunciation
How to pronounce irrepressible in British English:
UK [ˌɪrɪˈpresəbl]
How to pronounce irrepressible in American English:
US [ˌɪrɪˈpresəbl]
-
- Adjective:
- impossible to repress or control
Word Origin
- irrepressible (adj.)
- 1767, from assimilated form of in- (1) "not, opposite of" + repressible (see repress). Increase of population, which is filling the States out to their very borders, together with a new and extended network of railroads and other avenues, and an internal commerce which daily becomes more intimate, is rapidly bringing the States into a higher and more perfect social unity or consolidation. Thus, these antagonistic systems are continually coming into closer contact, and collision results. Shall I tell you what this collision means? They who think that it is accidental, unnecessary, the work of interested or fanatical agitators, and therefor ephemeral, mistake the case altogether. It is an irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces, and it means that the United States must and will, sooner or later, become either entirely a slaveholding nation, or entirely a free-labor nation. [William H. Seward, speech at Rochester, N.Y., Oct. 2, 1858] Related: Irrepressibly.
Example
- 1. " Irrepressible " is a word that is usually used to denote something that is hard to control or restrain .
- 2. Or was it his irrepressible sense of humour rising above circumstances ?
- 3. The rush of punters betting on higher prices is begetting a self-fulfilling prophecy : it is the tide of new investment , rather than inadequate supply or irrepressible demand , that is pushing the price of oil ever higher .
- 4. May those irrepressible twins love and peace remain your companions as you journey through life .
- 5. Impossible to suppress or control ; irrepressible .