counteroffensives
Syllables
coun-ter-of-fen-siv-es
Pronunciation
/ˌkaʊn.tər.əˈfɛn.sɪvz/
Stress
001001
Morphemes
counter- + offense + -s
The word 'counteroffensives' is divided into six syllables: coun-ter-of-fen-siv-es. The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('offen'). It's a noun formed from the prefix 'counter-', the root 'offense', and the suffixes '-s' and '-ive', indicating plural retaliatory actions.
Definitions
- 1
Actions taken in response to an offensive, especially in a military context.
“The general planned a series of counteroffensives to regain lost territory.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('offen'). The first, second, fourth, fifth and sixth syllables are unstressed.
Syllables
coun — Open syllable, vowel sound followed by a consonant.. ter — Closed syllable, consonant cluster.. of — Open syllable, reduced vowel.. fen — Closed syllable, vowel sound followed by a consonant.. siv — Closed syllable, vowel sound followed by a consonant.. es — Closed syllable, vowel sound followed by a consonant.
Word Parts
Similar Words
Vowel-Coda Rule
Syllables generally end with a vowel sound.
Consonant Cluster Rule
Consonant clusters are often maintained within a syllable.
- Complex morphology due to multiple suffixes and a prefix.
- Vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.
- The word's length requires careful application of syllabification rules.
Nearby Words
17 wordsTrending in English (US)
Terms getting hyphenated by users right now.