An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals. In nutrition and biology, antioxidants help neutralize reactive molecules, contributing to health and aging processes. They are common in fruits, vegetables, and supplements, and are studied for roles in disease prevention and cellular protection.
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US: rhotic and slightly more rounded vowel in 'ɒ' depending on speaker; UK: non-rhotic in careful speech, vowel quality tighter; AU: vowel shifts like /ɒ/ broader and a tendency for a more drawn-out final syllable. Vowel details: first 'an' /æ/ or /ən/ depending on speed; 'ti' /ti/; 'ox' /ɒk/; 'i' /ɪ/ or /ə/; 'dent' /dənt/ with schwa before /d/. Emphasize the stressed third syllable /ˈɒk/ to anchor.] ,
"Regular consumption of berries and leafy greens supplies antioxidants that support cellular health."
"Researchers are exploring antioxidant supplements to mitigate oxidative stress in cardiovascular disease."
"Some wines and chocolates contain antioxidants that contribute to perceived health benefits."
"Antioxidants work by donating electrons to free radicals, stabilizing them and reducing cellular damage."
The term antioxidant traces to the English prefix anti- meaning against, combined with oxidation, the chemical reaction involving loss of electrons. The word entered English in the mid-20th century as scientific interest in preventing cellular damage grew. It likely arose from Latin roots: anti- (against) + oxidare (to cause oxidation) and the -ant suffix indicating an agent. Early usage focused on chemical compounds that prevent oxidation in foods and industrial contexts. By the 1950s and 1960s, researchers in biochemistry and nutrition adopted antioxidant to describe substances that inhibit oxidative processes in living organisms. With the rise of dietary supplements and functional foods, the term broadened to describe vitamins (like C and E), minerals (selenium), enzymes (superoxide dismutase), and polyphenols that scavenge free radicals. Through decades, antioxidantology expanded to include signaling roles and protective effects against chronic diseases. The first known published uses appear in chemistry and physiology literature discussing oxidation-reduction chemistry, progressing to nutrition science as researchers linked oxidative stress to aging and disease. The word embodies a cross-disciplinary trajectory, from laboratory reagents to everyday health concepts, and now comprises a broad category of compounds with varying mechanisms, potencies, and dietary sources.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "antioxidant" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "antioxidant"
-me) sounds
-ant sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce it as /ˌæn.tiˈɒk.sɪ.dənt/ in US and UK; AU is similar: /ˌæn.tiˈɒk.sɪ.dənt/. The primary stress is on the third syllable (oxi), with secondary emphasis on the prefix 'an-'. Start with 'an' as in 'and,' then 'ti' as in 'tick' but shorter, 'ox' as in 'ox,' 'i' as a short schwa, and end with 'dant' like 'dant' in 'grant' but with a softer final consonant. Listening to models helps; aim for two quick scoops on the syllables before the stressed one, then a crisp final d.
Common mistakes: 1) Misplacing stress, saying ‘an-TI-ox-i-dant’ or flattening the stress across syllables. 2) Slurring the mid syllable, yielding ‘-oox-’ or merging sounds into ‘ox’ too long. 3) Mispronouncing the ending as ‘-ant’ with a hard t; aim for a light final syllable with a soft d and schwa. Corrections: keep secondary stress on the ‘oxi’ part, articulate the ‘ox’ clearly, and finish with a light, almost silent ‘nt’ sound. Practice with slow tempo and then speed up.
Across US/UK/AU, the core is /ˌæn.tiˈɒk.sɪ.dənt/. US and UK share rhotacless vs. rhotic tendencies only in related words; antioxidants are typically non-rhotic in careful UK speech so the r coloring is absent; AU often rhotic with a more open vowel in /ɒ/ or near /ɑ/. Vowel quality can shift: US tends to a rounded /ɒ/ in stressed syllable; UK may be closer to /ɒ/ with shorter vowels; AU often maintains broader Australian vowel shifts with slight vowel lengthening in the first syllable. Listen for subtle differences in the 'i' and the final 'dant'.
Difficulties come from sequencing multiple consonants and two adjacent syllables with distinct stress: the mid syllable 'ox' carries primary weight while 'ti' is quick, and the ending 'dant' requires a light, unreleased n. Also, the cluster '-xid-' can invite blends like /ksɪ/ or /gzɪ/. The key is crisp articulation of 'ox' and quick but clear 'i' as a schwa, followed by a soft 'nt.' Practice with careful IPA guidance helps reduce slurring.
The unique feature is the tri-syllabic rhythm with a secondary stress on the prefix and primary on the 'oxi' syllable: an-ti-OX-i-dant. It often trips learners with the 'ox' cluster and the final 'dant' where the t-sound can be light. Focusing on the sequence a-n-ti-ox-i-dant, with crisp 'ox' and a gentle end, helps retention. IPA cue: /ˌæn.tiˈɒk.sɪ.dənt/.
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