irresistible; compelling; unable to help oneself
Describes a strong inner urge or unavoidable circumstance that forces one to act, often despite one's will. Frequently used in the pattern 〜やむにやまれぬ思い or 〜やむにやまれぬ事情. The expression is somewhat literary and formal.
Due to unavoidable circumstances, he quit his job.
Out of an irresistible feeling, she opposed the plan.
Kanji spelling using 止む; less common but still encountered.
Rare kanji form using 已む; it is rarely used.
From the verb 止む (to stop) in the negative continuative form 止まず (not stopping), reduplicated with the particle に, and the negative auxiliary ぬ (classical equivalent of ない). Literally 'not stopping, not stopping', i.e., an unstoppable feeling or situation.