3 syllables: co, ex, ist. Stress on ist.
koh-uhg-ZIST
/ˌkoʊəˈɡzɪst/
coexist is pronounced koh-uhg-ZIST (/ˌkoʊəˈɡzɪst/). It has three syllables (co-ex-ist), with the stress on "ist". Coexist is a verb meaning to exist together in the same place or time, usually despite differences or conflicts. It implies balancing or sharing space, resources, or ideas without eradication of distinct identities. In discourse, it often foregrounds tolerance, coexistence strategies, or peaceful pluralism in social or ecological contexts.
Coexist is a verb meaning to exist together in the same place or time, usually despite differences or conflicts. It implies balancing or sharing space, resources, or ideas without eradication of distinct identities. In discourse, it often foregrounds tolerance, coexistence strategies, or peaceful pluralism in social or ecological contexts.
"The two communities agreed to coexist peacefully while maintaining their cultural distinctions."
"In many ecosystems, predators and prey coexist through complex interactions."
"The software update allows old and new modules to coexist without interference."
Coexist is stressed on the second syllable: ko-EX-ist. In IPA for US: koʊɪɡˈzɪst; UK: kəʊɪɡˈzɪst; AU: ˌkəʊ.ɪɡˈzɪst. Start with a long /koʊ/ or /kəʊ/ onset, then a light /ɪ/ before /ɡ/ and the stressed /zɪst/. Keep the /z/ crisp and finish with /t/. Audio cues: imagine a slight pause before the stressed syllable, and pronounce the final /st/ as a single cluster without adding extra vowel after /t/.
Common mistakes: misplacing stress (saying ko-EXist with unclear secondary stress); mispronouncing the vowel before /ɡ/ as a short /ɪ/ or /ɛ/ instead of a clean /ɪ/; dropping the /z/ or turning /zɪst/ into /zɪs/ or /zɪst/. Correction tips: keep the /ɪ/ before /ɡ/ short and tight, ensure the /z/ is voiced and clear before the /t/, and maintain the second syllable stress: ko-EX-ɪst. Practicing with a minimal pair like “exist” vs “coexist” can reinforce the added /koʊɪ/ onset without altering the root.
US: koʊɪɡˈzɪst with a rhotic, smooth /ˈzɪst/. UK: kəʊɪɡˈzɪst with non-rhotic /r/ absence, slightly tighter vowels; AU: ˌkəʊɪɡˈzɪst often with broader vowel /əʊ/ and a twang in /ɡ/. The difference mainly concerns the onset vowels and the rhotics; US tends to pronounce /r/ in ‘coexist’ only if followed by a vowel, UK/AU do not. All share the /ˈzɪst/ final; ensure the /z/ remains voiced and the /t/ is crisp in all variants.
Because it combines a closed syllable onset “co-” with a second, stressed syllable containing a consonant cluster - /ɡz/ followed by /ɪst/. The transition from the /ɡ/ to the /z/ in the cluster can be tricky, and the unstressed first syllable often reduces to a schwa, which can blur the intended cadence. The final /st/ cluster also requires precise tongue contact to avoid an extra vowel or voicing errors. Pronunciation requires precise timing of the /ɡ/ to /z/ release and the end /t/ closure.
The key nuance is preserving the /ɡ/ before the /z/ cluster and accenting the second syllable: ko-EX-ɪst. Some speakers misplace weight on the first syllable and produce an /ɪ/ or reduce the second syllable too much. The correct articulation requires a slight lift of the tongue into /ɡ/ followed immediately by a voiced /z/ before the unaspirated /t/. Paying attention to transition between /ɡ/ and /z/ helps maintain natural syllable rhythm.
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Coexist derives from the combination of the Latin prefix co- meaning together and the verb existence, from the Latin existere (to stand out, to exist). The core sense emerged in English in the 19th to early 20th century as global conversations about pluralism, social harmony, and international relations intensified. The term began to be used in political and ecological discourse to describe scenarios where multiple species, cultures, or institutions occupy the same space or time frame without eliminating one another. By the mid-20th century, coexist started appearing in legal and environmental contexts, precisely to express coexistence as a managed state rather than mere tolerance. Its usage expanded in modern times to everyday language, often in discussions about cultural diversity, urban planning, and technology ecosystems, where different systems or ideas must operate in proximity. The phrasal form “coexist with” further solidified the sense of harmonious proximity, with dictionaries recording stable usage by the late 20th century and continuing into contemporary discourse where coexistence is a common policy and ethical aim.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "coexist" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "coexist" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "coexist"
-ost sounds
-ast sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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