6 syllables: con, tra, in, di, cat, ed. Stress on in.
kuhn-TRAYN-dik-ay-tid
/kənˈtreɪndɪkeɪtɪd/
contraindicated is pronounced kuhn-TRAYN-dik-ay-tid (/kənˈtreɪndɪkeɪtɪd/). It has six syllables (con-tra-in-di-cat-ed), with the stress on "in". Contraindicated is an adjective describing a condition or treatment that is not advised because it could be harmful. It signals official guidance or medical judgment that certain actions should be avoided. The term is used in clinical and policy contexts to indicate risks outweighing benefits or policy constraints preventing a course of action.
Contraindicated is an adjective describing a condition or treatment that is not advised because it could be harmful. It signals official guidance or medical judgment that certain actions should be avoided. The term is used in clinical and policy contexts to indicate risks outweighing benefits or policy constraints preventing a course of action.
- You may flatten the middle syllables, turning di- into a quick schwa. Tip: hold DI as a peak vowel /ˈdaɪ/ or /ˈdeɪ/ depending on dialect, and keep the /keɪ/ in -cate crisp. - Another error is misplacing stress, saying con-TRIN-di-cated; correct by marking the primary stress on DI, and the secondary stress on -nT? actually there is no second primary stress; ensure mono-stress pattern around DI. - Final ed: in fast speech, you may pronounce -ed as /d/ or /ɪd/ inconsistently; decide pace and apply uniform cadence. Practice with a metronome to maintain rhythm.
"Taking that medication is contraindicated for patients with kidney failure, so doctors must choose an alternative."
"The university considers using this algorithm contraindicated for ethical reasons, given privacy concerns."
"Because of the allergy, applying that cream is contraindicated and dermatologists recommend a different formulation."
Pronounce as /ˌkɒntrəɪnˈdɪkeɪtɪd/ (US) or /ˌkɒntrənˈdaɪkeɪtɪd/ (UK). Stress falls on the second syllable from the end: con-train-DI-cated. Start with a light, unstressed 'con', then a strong 'train' syllable, followed by the 'di' in 'di', and finish with 'cate-d' where the 'cate' has a long A as in 'date'. If you’re listening to a native speaker, pay attention to the 'di' being high and the final -ed sounding as /ɪd/ or /d/ depending on pace. IPA usage examples help anchor the articulation across accents.
Common errors: 1) misplacing stress, saying con-TRA-in-dicated instead of con-train-DI-cated; 2) pronouncing 'contra' as /kənˈtreɪ/ with a strong 'ay' instead of the short /kɒnˈ/. Corrections: keep stress on DI-cated, pronounce 'train' clearly with /treɪn/ and link the 'di' softly as /dɪ/; 3) over-pronouncing the final -ed as /ɪd/ in fast speech, which can slow rhythm. Practice with slow enunciation and then rhythm reduction to /d/ or /ɪd/ depending on context.
US: /ˌkɒntrəɪnˈdɪkeɪtɪd/ with a rhotic r and a clear 'train' and a crisp 'di'. UK: /ˌkɒntrənˈdaɪkeɪtɪd/ often with a shorter schwa in the second syllable and less rhoticity. AU: similar to UK but with more rounded vowels in some speakers and slightly broader 'a' in 'contra' depending on region. Key differences: rhoticity (R coloring), vowel quality in the second syllable, and the 'di' vs 'daɪ' sequence; the stressed syllable remains near the end (DI) across accents.
It pairs a prefix (contra-) with a dense root that includes 'train' and 'dicate' sounds. The challenge is the cluster around 'n' + 'trade' with /treɪn/ and the 'dɪ' transition into 'keɪtɪd'. The shift from /ˌkɒntrəɪn/ to /-dɪkeɪtɪd/ tests vowel clarity and syllable timing. Also, the final -ed can be /ɪd/ or /d/ depending on pace, which alters the cadence. Practice separating the parts slowly, then blend without losing the central stress on DI.
A unique aspect is the mid-word /ɪn/ that produces a short, tight 'in' before the important secondary stress on -dicate-. Also the 'ate' in -cate is pronounced /eɪ/ rather than /ɪət/; ensuring the /keɪ/ keeps a clean long vowel sound is key. Also watch the syllable count: con-train-di-cated has four primary syllables with a noticeable secondary rhythm before the final two syllables. Mastery comes from clear segmentation and then fast, natural blending.
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- US: Rhotic r; flatter vowel in 'contra' and stronger /ɪ/ in 'dicate' depending on speaker. - UK: non-rhotic or weaker r; the 'train' has a tighter /eɪ/; the 'dicate' may be more clipped. - AU: blend of US and UK; vowel warmth; ensure the 'a' in contra remains broad /ɒ/ or /ɔ/ depending on region. Use IPA cues: /ˌkɒntrəɪnˈdɪkeɪtɪd/ (US) vs /ˌkɒntrənˈdaɪkeɪtɪd/ (UK/AU). - Focus on central tension: maintain a crisp onset for 'con', then a clear diphthong in 'train', then a stable /dɪ/ before /keɪ/.
Contraindicated derives from the Latin contra- meaning against, and indicare meaning to indicate or point out. The medical sense of indicating a condition or contraindication evolved in the 19th century, shifting from general notions of signposting to a formal term in clinical guidance. The prefix contra- communicates opposition or negation, while indicare contributes the sense of signaling or directing actions. In English, contraindication has long been used in medical practice to describe factors that would make a therapy unsafe. contraindicated, formed with the common English agentive suffix -ed, denotes that something has been so signaled against in the past and remains the standard descriptor in patient care and policy. First known uses appear in medical texts of the late 1800s and early 1900s as standardized vocab to document guidelines and contraindications in treatment protocols. Over time, the term expanded into broader policy language, indicating that particular options are not appropriate due to risk or conflict with established guidelines.
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Words that rhyme with "contraindicated"
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