How to Pronounce “antithesis”

American (US)

/ænˈtɪθəsɪs/

British (UK)

/ænˈtɪθəsɪs/

noun — The direct opposite of something, or a contrast set out in balanced phrasing.

Example: Her calm was the antithesis of his panic.

Synonyms: opposite, reverse

Where the stress falls. “antithesis” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ænˈtɪθəsɪs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ænˈtɪθəsɪs/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "antithesis" mean?

antithesis (noun): The direct opposite of something, or a contrast set out in balanced phrasing. For example — Her calm was the antithesis of his panic.

How do you pronounce "antithesis" in American vs British English?

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "antithesis", /ænˈtɪθəsɪs/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "antithesis"?

/ænˈtɪθəsɪs/ in American English, /ænˈtɪθəsɪs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "antithesis"?

“antithesis” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ænˈtɪθəsɪs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.