2 syllables: con, demns. Stress on demns.
/kəˈndɛmz/
condemns is pronounced /kəˈndɛmz/. It has two syllables (con-demns), with the stress on "demns". Condemns means to condemn or declare something to be wrong or reprehensible, often with judgment or punishment implied. In usage, it typically refers to an official or strong moral stance against a person, action, or policy, sometimes accompanied by decisive language. The verb is commonly used in formal, legal, political, or moral contexts and can imply moral certainty and condemnation.
Say it backCondemns means to condemn or declare something to be wrong or reprehensible, often with judgment or punishment implied. In usage, it typically refers to an official or strong moral stance against a person, action, or policy, sometimes accompanied by decisive language. The verb is commonly used in formal, legal, political, or moral contexts and can imply moral certainty and condemnation.
- You may misplace the stress or flatten the /ɛm/ into a schwa; keep the /ɛm/ as a crisp /e/ vowel sound. - Final /z/ can be devoiced in rapid speech; ensure voicing by lightly vibrating the vocal cords. - The first syllable gets a weak schwa; don’t over-pronounce the o sound. - Avoid diffusing the /d/ into a nasal; use a clean alveolar stop release before the /ɛm/.
"The council condemns the act as illegal and unethical."
"She condemned the system for perpetuating inequality."
"Leaders condemned the violence in a public statement."
Pronounce it as kən-DEMZ, with the primary stress on the second syllable. In IPA: US /kənˈdɛmz/, UK /kənˈdemz/, AU /kɔnˈdemz/. The final sound is the z sound /z/, not /s/. The vowel in the second syllable is a short /e/ as in “bed.” Start with a schwa in the first syllable, then drop into a crisp /d/ plus /ɛm/ and end with /z/. Audio reference: try saying ‘con-DEMZ’ clearly, then blend quickly.”,
Common errors include: 1) Using a long /eɪ/ or /iː/ in the second syllable (con-DEEMZ) instead of /dɛm/. 2) Slurring the /d/ into a soft /t/ or /n/ (coN-DEMNZ with cluster mishandling). 3) Dropping the final /z/ to /s/ (condemns → condemns). Correction: place clear /d/ closure before /ɛm/ and end with /z/. Practice by isolating the /d/ in 'madam' style then release into /z/.
US/UK/AU share /kənˈdɛmz/ or /kənˈdemz/, but rhoticity and vowel quality vary. US often uses a rhotic vowel with a lighter /ə/ in the first syllable; UK tends toward a slightly sharper /ˈ/ second syllable and crisper /d/; Australian may show a slightly open /ɔ/ in some speakers and a more centralized /ə/ in the first syllable. The final /z/ remains; the overall tempo and intonation differ with sentence stress.
The challenge lies in the cluster /d/ followed by /ɛm/ plus final /z/. The sequence demands a precise tongue position: a quick d-tap-like closure and then a bright, voiced alveolar sibilant /z/. In rapid speech, the transition from /d/ to /ɛm/ to /z/ can blur, especially if you’re not projecting the /z/ voicing. Focusing on a firm /d/ release and maintaining voicing for /z/ helps clarity.
A common unique query is: Is the /d/ audible when the final /z/ is produced at fast speech? Yes. Maintain a distinct /d/ release before the /ɛm/ nucleus, then end with the /z/ voiced fricative. In fluent speech, you’ll hear a crisp /d/ before the vowel, and the /z/ should be a clearly voiced sibilant rather than a softened /s/.
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- US: focus on a clear rhotics and a slightly more relaxed first syllable. - UK: crisper /d/ and a shorter /ə/ in the first syllable; non-rhotic. - AU: watch for vowel openness in the first syllable; maintain a voiced /z/ at the end. IPA references: US /kənˈdɛmz/, UK /kənˈdemz/, AU /kɔnˈdemz/.
Condemns derives from the verb condemn, which comes from the Latin condemno, condemnare, meaning to sentence or convict. The Latin prefix con- (together) and -demn- (from damnare, to damn or condemn) combine to express ‘to condemn together’ or ‘to pronounce as unfit or wrong.’ The term entered English via Old French condemn, or directly from Latin, with early usages in the 14th century relating to legal or moral judgments. Over time, condemn broadened from formal sentencing to more general moral rebuke, with “condemnation” becoming a common noun and “condemns” as the third-person singular present tense of condemn. The sense evolution tracks from strict judicial pronouncement toward broader social and rhetorical censure, retaining connotations of moral judgment and sanction.
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Words that rhyme with "condemns"
-ins sounds
-ims sounds
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