How to pronounce untenable
Say it like un-TEN-uh-bul. Untenable has four 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 untenable. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- TEN
- uh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Untenable pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- unKeep 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.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of untenable
American and British speakers say untenable in essentially the same way: /ənˈtɛnəbəl/ in the US and /ənˈtɛnəbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-TEN-uh-bul.
What does untenable mean?
- Not able to be held or sustained, such as of an opinion or position.“The theory of cold fusion was untenable.”
- Unfit for habitation.
Where does untenable come from?
From un- + tenable.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with untenable
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of untenable.
Questions about saying untenable
How do you pronounce untenable?
Say un-TEN-uh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ənˈtɛnəbəl/. In British English it is /ənˈtɛnəbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in untenable?
Untenable has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN). Broken into parts: un · TEN · uh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say untenable the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈtɛnəbəl/ and the British form is /ənˈtɛnəbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.