How to Pronounce “insuperable”

American (US)

/ɪnˈsup(ə)ɹəb(ə)l/

adjective — Impossible to achieve or overcome or be negotiated.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ɪnˈsup(ə)ɹəb(ə)l/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “insuperable” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “insuperable” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈsup(ə)ɹəb(ə)l/ 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. /ɪnˈsup(ə)ɹəb(ə)l/ 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 "insuperable" mean?

insuperable (adjective): Impossible to achieve or overcome or be negotiated.

What is the IPA transcription of "insuperable"?

/ɪnˈsup(ə)ɹəb(ə)l/ in American English.

Which syllable is stressed in "insuperable"?

“insuperable” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈsup(ə)ɹəb(ə)l/ 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.