3 syllables: com, man, ders. Stress on man.
kuh-MAN-durz
/kəˈmændɚz/
commanders is pronounced kuh-MAN-durz (/kəˈmændɚz/). It has three syllables (com-man-ders), with the stress on "man". Commanders refers to individuals who lead or direct military units or operations. In broader use, it denotes people who exercise command or authoritative control in a structured setting. The term implies leadership, strategy, and responsibility, often within hierarchical organizations or teams. (2-4 sentences, 50-80 words).
Commanders refers to individuals who lead or direct military units or operations. In broader use, it denotes people who exercise command or authoritative control in a structured setting. The term implies leadership, strategy, and responsibility, often within hierarchical organizations or teams. (2-4 sentences, 50-80 words).
- Common mistakes: 1) Stress misplacement: speakers sometimes say COM-mand-ers instead of com-MAN-ders; fix by emphasizing the second syllable and keeping the first unstressed. 2) Vowel reduction: the stressed vowel in /ˈmænd/ or /ˈmænd/ can be shortened or shifted; practice with a steady /æ/ or an open /a/ in some dialects. 3) Final sound: trailing /r/ or /z/ can blur; practice clear /z/ or /z/ with voicing. Tips: practice slow, carve out each phoneme, then link gradually; record yourself and compare to native samples.
"The commanders gathered the troops for a briefing before dawn."
"Corporate commanders of the project outlined milestones and risk management."
"During the exercise, the satellite commanders coordinated drone operations."
Pronounce as /kəˈmændərz/ (US) or /kəˈmɑːndəz/ (UK). The stress is on the second syllable: com-MAN-ders. Start with a schwa, move to a low open front vowel in the stressed syllable, then a voiced alveolar nasal + schwa, ending with an extra /z/ or /əz/ depending on connected speech. Listen to native samples and practice the sequence: kə- MAN - dər z.
Common mistakes: 1) Shifting the stress to the first syllable (COM- manders) instead of com-MAN-ders. 2) Vowel quality in the stressed syllable mispronounced as /ɑ/ or /æ/; aim for a clear mid/open /æ/ or /a/ quality. 3) Final -ers reduced too much to /-əz/ or dropped entirely in fast speech. Correction tips: keep /mænd/ in the stressed syllable, round the lips slightly for /ɔ/ vs /æ/ in some dialects, and pronounce the final /z/ clearly in careful speech.
US: /kəˈmændərz/ with rhotic r and clear /ˈdər/ sequence; UK: /kəˈmɑːndəz/ with non-rhotic or weak rhotic; AU: /kəˈmændəz/ often similar to US but with tighter vowel quality and faster linking in casual speech. The key differences are the vowel in the stressed syllable (US /æ/ vs UK /ɑː/) and rhoticity; Australians typically maintain rhoticity in careful speech but may devoice some final consonants in rapid talk.
It's challenging because the stressed syllable contains a vowel that can be mispronounced as /æ/ or /ɑ/ depending on dialect, followed by a short unstressed /ər/ reduced to a schwa in some accents. The final -ers cluster often becomes a fast /-əz/ or /-z/, which can blur listener perception of the plural marker. Practicing the sequence com-MAN-derz with careful tongue positioning for the /mænd/ cluster helps maintain clarity.
A unique point is the consonant cluster between the stressed vowel and the final -ers: /nd/ before /ər/ in most accents. Ensure the /n/ and /d/ are clean and not elided; the /ər/ should be a distinct central vowel that transitions smoothly to the /z/. In careful speech you’ll hear the full /ndər/ sequence rather than a merged /ndər/ becoming /ndə/ or /ndər/ too quickly.
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- US: rhotic /r/ in /ər/ and /z/ final; stressed /æ/ or /æ/ depending on speaker. - UK: less pronounced rhoticity; /ɑː/ in stressed syllable, final /z/; often clearer enunciation of final consonant. - AU: similar to US but vowel quality often is more centralized; final /z/ may be slightly devoiced in rapid speech. IPA references: US /kəˈmændərz/, UK /kəˈmɑːndəz/, AU /kəˈmændəz/. - Vowel practice: compare /æ/ vs /ɑː/ and /ɜː/ for centralization in /ər/.
Commanders comes from the noun command, derived from the Latin commandare (to demand, order) from com- (together, with) + mandare (to entrust, commit to) and the suffix -er indicating a person who performs an action. In Middle English, commander and its plural formed in the late medieval period as military leaders who issued commands. Over time, the sense broadened to include leaders in civilian organizations who exercise authority and strategic direction. The plural form commanders emerged to reference multiple individuals who hold command roles, particularly in hierarchical structures such as armies, navies, and large organizations. First known uses appear in 14th- to 15th-century texts describing officers who commanded troops or ships, evolving into modern usage that encompasses both military and organizational leadership roles across contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "commanders" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "commanders" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "commanders"
-ers sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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