How to pronounce contending
Say it like kun-TEN-ding. Contending has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contending. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TEN
- ding
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contending pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- dingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of contending
American and British speakers say contending in essentially the same way: /kənˈtɛndɪŋ/ in the US and /kənˈtɛndɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-TEN-ding.
What does contending mean?
Words that rhyme with contending
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contending.
Questions about saying contending
How do you pronounce contending?
Say kun-TEN-ding. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtɛndɪŋ/. In British English it is /kənˈtɛndɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contending?
Contending has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN). Broken into parts: kun · TEN · ding.
Do Americans and Brits say contending the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈtɛndɪŋ/ and the British form is /kənˈtɛndɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.