3 syllables: a, sun, der. Stress on sun.
uh-SUHN-dur
/əˈsʌndɚ/
asunder is pronounced uh-SUHN-dur (/əˈsʌndɚ/). It has three syllables (a-sun-der), with the stress on "sun". Asunder means apart or divided, typically used to describe something torn or split into pieces. It conveys separation or disunity, often with a sense of force or violence. In literature, it can describe people or things being separated or scattering from one another.
Asunder means apart or divided, typically used to describe something torn or split into pieces. It conveys separation or disunity, often with a sense of force or violence. In literature, it can describe people or things being separated or scattering from one another.
"The earthquake ripped the town asunder, leaving buildings in ruins."
"Her beliefs were torn asunder by the confrontation with reality."
"The crowd was driven asunder by the sudden stampede."
You pronounce it as-UN-der, with initial stress on the second syllable: /əˈsʌn.dər/ (US) or /əˈsʌn.də/ (UK/AU). Start with a neutral schwa, then a stressed short vowel /ʌ/ as in 'cup', followed by /n/ and a softly pronounced /d/ or /d/ plus a light schwa at the end. You want a smooth two-part rhythm: unstressed-strong-stressed (approximately). Audio reference: you can hear it pronounced as /əˈsʌn.dər/ in standard dictionaries and pronunciation tools.
Two common errors are misplacing the stress (saying /ˌeɪˈsʌn.dər/ or /əˈsən.dər/) and vocalizing the second syllable with an incorrect vowel (using /ʌ/ or /ə/ inconsistently). Another frequent issue is blending /n/ and /d/ into a nasalized or glottal stop sequence; aim for a clear /n/ followed by /d/ with a light, schwa-ending. Correct by practicing the two main syllables separately: /əˈsʌn/ then /dər/ in quick succession, then blend.
In US English, /əˈsʌn.dər/ with a schwa in the final syllable and rhotic ending /ər/. UK/AU typically use /əˈsʌn.də/ with a non-rhotic or less rhotic final vowel; in some accents the final /r/ is muted. The second syllable carries primary stress; vowel quality remains /ʌ/ in the stressed vowel. Australians often preserve /əˈsʌndə/ with a light /ə/ in the final syllable and less pronounced rhotics in non-rhotic varieties. Overall, stress placement is stable, but rhoticity and the final vowel color shift by locale.
Because it is relatively infrequent in everyday speech, you may be unsure where to place the stress and how to transition from /s/ to /n/ to /d/. The second syllable holds the peak /ʌ/ and the final syllable ends with a soft /ər/ or /ə/ that can be glossed as an unaccented schwa. The word also has a slightly abrupt consonant cluster /sən/ which can invite mispronunciation as /əsˈaʊndər/ or /əˈsændər/. Focus on the /ˈsʌn/ nucleus and a clear /d/ before the final schwa to sound precise.
A distinctive feature is the explicit secondary syllable nucleus /ʌ/ in /sʌn/ and the following /dər/ with a light, unstressed ending. Unlike many two-syllable adverbs, asunder favors a two-beat rhythm with the stressed middle syllable, not the initial syllable. The combination of a clear /ʌ/ and a soft /ər/ at the end creates a recognizable, almost archaic cadence that you can practice by saying “uh-SUN-dər” with the middle emphasis and a gentle finish.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "asunder"!
Asunder is an adverbial and adjectival form traditionally derived from the Middle English phrase asonder, which itself is a blend of a- (a prefix meaning 'apart' or 'away') and sonder (an archaic form of 'to separate' or 'to sunder'), influenced by Old English components. The usage solidified in Early Modern English with meanings centered on separation, disunion, or torn-apart states. Although “asunder” can function attributively in some contexts (as in “the ships lay asunder”), it most often appears used predicatively after linking verbs (become, lay, fell) or as an intensifier in literary prose. First attested in the 14th–15th centuries in religious and legal texts, its form and semantic focus have remained stable, preserving a sense of violent or absolute division rather than mere distance. Over time, it became a somewhat archaisized term in common speech, retaining the nuance of dramatic or fatal separation especially in poetry and narrative prose. Modern usage tends to be literary or emphatic, signaling complete or utter separation rather than mere physical distance.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "asunder" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "asunder" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "asunder" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "asunder"
-der sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
