3 syllables: con, flict, ed. Stress on flict.
kuhn-FLIK-tid
/kənˈflɪktɪd/
conflicted is pronounced kuhn-FLIK-tid (/kənˈflɪktɪd/). It has three syllables (con-flict-ed), with the stress on "flict". Conflicted describes a person or situation characterized by internal disagreement or tension between opposing ideas, desires, or priorities. It implies wavering, indecision, and competing motives that pull someone in different directions. The term often appears in discussions of ethics, choices, or emotions where a clear, single stance is not present.
Conflicted describes a person or situation characterized by internal disagreement or tension between opposing ideas, desires, or priorities. It implies wavering, indecision, and competing motives that pull someone in different directions. The term often appears in discussions of ethics, choices, or emotions where a clear, single stance is not present.
- You’ll often hear people blur the /t/ before the final /ɪd/, yielding /-ɪd/ or a flap; fix by practicing a clean /t/ release. - Misplacing stress on the first syllable or flattening the /ɪ/ vowel; ensure the nucleus is on the /flɪk/ syllable. - Over-reducing /kən/ into a near-schwa like ‘kuhn-’ carrying into /flɪk/; practice separate syllable pronunciation before linking. These mistakes lead to a choppy rhythm and less precise meaning. Focus on segmenting: /kən/ + /ˈflɪk/ + /tɪd/ and then connect smoothly.
"She felt conflicted about taking the job offer because it would mean moving away from family."
"The policy remains conflicted, balancing economic growth with environmental concerns."
"He grew conflicted during the debate, torn between loyalty and his own principles."
Pronounce as /kən-ˈflɪk.tɪd/ in US and UK; Australian typically /kən-ˈflɪk.tɪd/. Begin with a schwa reducing to ‘kən,’ then the stressed syllable ‘FLIK’ with a short i as in ‘flip,’ followed by a light ‘-tɪd’ ending. Keep the /ɪ/ in the second syllable clear but not elongated; ensure the /t/ lands promptly before the final /ɪd/. Audio references: standard dictionary audio and pronunciation videos can confirm the /kən/ reduction and the /ˈflɪk/ stress peak.
Common errors: 1) stressing the wrong syllable (placing main stress on ‘con-’ instead of ‘-flikt-’); 2) lengthening the /ɪ/ in the stressed syllable or pronouncing it as /i:/ as in 'fleet'; 3) blending /tɪd/ into /d/ or /t/ without a crisp release. Correction tips: rehearse /kən-ˈflɪk.tɪd/ with a clear, quick /t/ release before the final /ɪd/, and practice minimal pairs to lock the secondary vowels and the final -ed voicing.
US and UK share the /ˈflɪk.tɪd/ core, with rhoticity affecting if you pronounce r after a vowel elsewhere, not in this word. US tends to reduce /kən/ more than UK, making it sound like ‘kuhn-.’ UK may be slightly crisper with /t/ release. Australian typically mirrors UK but with slightly wider vowel quality on /ɪ/ and a more relaxed /ə/ in the initial syllable. In all, the primary stress remains on the second syllable.
The challenge lies in the combination of a reduced initial syllable /kən/ and a strong mid-stress on /ˈflɪk/. The /ɪ/ in the stressed syllable is short and tense, requiring precise articulation, while the final /tɪd/ lands crisply yet quickly in connected speech. Non-native speakers often misplace the stress or assimilate the /t/ into a flap or /d/; focus on maintaining a clear /t/ release before the final /ɪd/.
Does 'conflicted' have a silent letter? No silent letters in the common pronunciation. The key is the schwa reduction in the first syllable and the crisp, separate /t/ before the final /ɪd/. Understanding the syllable boundaries (con- /flɪk- /tɪd) helps align mouth positions across speech contexts; practice confirming the boundary with slow articulation first, then speed up.
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- US: rhoticity is not a major factor here; maintain a clear /ɪ/ in the stressed syllable and a quick, crisp /t/ before the final /ɪd/. - UK: crisp /t/ release, less vowel length in /ɪ/; keep stress on the second syllable with a slightly shorter initial /kən/ than US. - AU: similar to UK with slightly broader vowel qualities; ensure the final /d/ is released but not overemphasized. - Key IPA anchors: /kən-ˈflɪk.tɪd/; ensure the /ɪ/ in the stressed syllable remains short, and the /t/ lands cleanly before /ɪd/.
Conflicted comes from the verb conflict, which itself derives from the Latin confligere, from con- ‘together’ + fligere ‘to strike, to drive, to force.’ The sense progression began with ‘to strike together’ or ‘to come into collision,’ evolving in English to “contradictory, at odds” and then to describe inner mental struggle or external clashes. The modern participial form -ed attaches to indicate a state or condition resulting from ongoing conflict. First attested in the late Middle English period as a general sense of fighting or opposing forces, by the 19th and 20th centuries it broadened to describe internal psychological tension as well as social or political disputes. The figurative use “feeling torn” reflects the shift from physical collision to mental dissonance. Over time, “conflicted” has become a common descriptor in psychology, ethics, and everyday speech for people facing opposing commitments or values.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "conflicted" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "conflicted" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "conflicted"
-ted sounds
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