How to pronounce contradistinction
Say it like kon-truh-dih-STINGK-shun. Contradistinction has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (STINGK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contradistinction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kon
- truh
- dih
- STINGK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contradistinction pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- konGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- truhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- STINGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of contradistinction
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-truh-dih-STINGK-shun.
What does contradistinction mean?
- Distinction by contrast; the provision of one example against which another example may be defined.“We used hamburgers and soda in contradistinction to healthy food.”
- The quality of being contradistinctive.
Where does contradistinction come from?
From contra- + distinction.
Words that rhyme with contradistinction
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contradistinction.
Questions about saying contradistinction
How do you pronounce contradistinction?
Say kon-truh-dih-STINGK-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑntrədɪˈstɪŋkʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒntrədɪˈstɪŋkʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contradistinction?
Contradistinction has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (STINGK). Broken into parts: kon · truh · dih · STINGK · shun.
Is contradistinction pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌkɒntrədɪˈstɪŋkʃən/ (kon-truh-dih-STINGK-shun).