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Word Analysis

counterresponses

Complete linguistic analysis including syllable division, pronunciation, morphology, and definitions.

5 syllables
16 characters
English (US)
Enriched
5syllables

counterresponses

Linguistic Analysis

Syllables

coun-ter-re-spon-ses

Pronunciation

/ˌkaʊn.tɚ.rɪˈspɑn.səz/

Stress

20010

Morphemes

counter- + response + -s

Counterresponses is a five-syllable compound noun: coun-ter-re-spon-ses. The prefix 'counter-' (against) combines with 'responses' (answers) plus plural '-s'. Primary stress falls on 'spon', secondary on 'coun'. Morpheme boundaries govern the division, with the double 'r' at the join preserved orthographically. IPA: /ˌkaʊn.tɚ.rɪˈspɑn.səz/.

Definitions

noun
  1. 1

    Responses given in opposition to or as a reply to previous responses; reactions that counter or address earlier statements, arguments, or actions

    “The debate featured several counterresponses from both candidates.”

    “Her counterresponses to the criticism were well-reasoned and persuasive.”

    syn:rebuttalsrejoindersrepliesretorts
    ant:initial responsesoriginal statements

Stress pattern

Secondary stress on first syllable 'coun', primary stress on fourth syllable 'spon', other syllables unstressed

Syllables

5
coun/kaʊn/
ter/tɚ/
re/rɪ/
spon/ˈspɑn/
ses/səz/

coun — Closed syllable with diphthong, carries secondary stress. ter — Closed syllable, unstressed, completes prefix 'counter-'. re — Open syllable, unstressed, begins root 'responses'. spon — Closed syllable with legal 'sp' onset, carries primary stress. ses — Closed syllable, unstressed, plural suffix

Word Parts

pre

counter-

Latin origin via Old French 'contre-', meaning 'against' or 'in opposition to'

root

response

Latin origin from 'respondēre' meaning 'to answer'

suf

-s

Plural marker, Germanic origin; realized as '-es' syllable after sibilant

Similar Words

coun­ter­at­tacksre­spon­sescoun­ter­ar­gu­ments

Morpheme Boundary Rule

The compound is split at the join between 'counter-' and 'responses', preserving morphological structure

Maximal Onset Principle

The cluster 'sp' in 'spon' is kept together as a legal English onset

Closed Syllable Rule

Syllables 'coun', 'ter', 'spon', and 'ses' end in consonants, making them closed

Sibilant Plural Rule

The plural '-s' after sibilant /s/ is realized as syllabic '-es' /əz/

  • Double 'r' at morpheme boundary (counter + responses) is orthographically preserved but phonetically reduced to single /r/
  • Compound word status means morpheme boundaries take precedence over pure phonotactic syllabification
  • British pronunciation uses /ɒ/ in 'spon' and /ɪz/ in final syllable, but syllable division remains unchanged
Analysis by claude · 12/30/2025

Nearby Words

17 words
counterresponses(current)
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