How to pronounce destabilise
Say it like dee-STAY-bih-lyze. Destabilise has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce destabilise. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dee
- STAY
- bih
- lyze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Destabilise pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- STAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- lyzeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of destabilise
American and British speakers say destabilise in essentially the same way: /diˈsteɪbɪlaɪz/ in the US and /diːˈsteɪbɪlaɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: dee-STAY-bih-lyze.
What does destabilise mean?
- To make something unstable.
- To undermine a government, especially by means of subversion or terrorism.
- To become unstable.
Where does destabilise come from?
From de- + stabilize.
Questions about saying destabilise
How do you pronounce destabilise?
Say dee-STAY-bih-lyze. The American pronunciation is /diˈsteɪbɪlaɪz/. In British English it is /diːˈsteɪbɪlaɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in destabilise?
Destabilise has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAY). Broken into parts: dee · STAY · bih · lyze.
Do Americans and Brits say destabilise the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /diˈsteɪbɪlaɪz/ and the British form is /diːˈsteɪbɪlaɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.