How to pronounce suspensive
Say it like suh-SPEN-siv. Suspensive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce suspensive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- SPEN
- siv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Suspensive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SPENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- sivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of suspensive
American and British speakers say suspensive in essentially the same way: /səˈspɛnsɪv/ in the US and /səˈspɛnsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: suh-SPEN-siv.
What does suspensive mean?
- That suspends, temporarily stops.
- Characterized by suspense; suspenseful.
Where does suspensive come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin suspēnsīvus.
Words that rhyme with suspensive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of suspensive.
- expensive
- extensive
- offensive
- defensive
- comprehensive
- intensive
- inexpensive
- apprehensive
- inoffensive
- hypertensive
Questions about saying suspensive
How do you pronounce suspensive?
Say suh-SPEN-siv. The American pronunciation is /səˈspɛnsɪv/. In British English it is /səˈspɛnsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in suspensive?
Suspensive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEN). Broken into parts: suh · SPEN · siv.
Do Americans and Brits say suspensive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səˈspɛnsɪv/ and the British form is /səˈspɛnsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.