3 syllables: de, fen, ces. Stress on fen.
dif-EN-siz
/dɪˈfɛnsɪz/
defences is pronounced dif-EN-siz (/dɪˈfɛnsɪz/). It has three syllables (de-fen-ces), with the stress on "fen". Defences refers to measures taken to defend or protect against attack, danger, or criticism. In plural form, it denotes multiple protective barriers or arguments used to resist threats. The term is common in legal, military, sports, and everyday contexts, emphasizing protective strategies or countermoves rather than passive protection.
Defences refers to measures taken to defend or protect against attack, danger, or criticism. In plural form, it denotes multiple protective barriers or arguments used to resist threats. The term is common in legal, military, sports, and everyday contexts, emphasizing protective strategies or countermoves rather than passive protection.
"The country increased its defences after the border incident."
"He raised several defences to justify his decision in court."
"The soccer team strengthened its defences to prevent goals."
Pronounce it as /dɪˈfɛnzɪz/. The stress is on the second syllable. Start with the short /ɪ/ in first syllable, then /ˈfɛn/ as in 'fence', ending with /zɪz/. Tip: keep the /f/ and /n/ clear and let the final /zɪz/ flow. Listen to native samples to pattern the final z-iz cluster.
Common errors:1) misplacing stress, saying de-FENCES with even stress; 2) pronouncing the final /s/ as /s/ rather than /z/ or lingering /z/; 3) slipping the /ɪ/ in the second syllable to an /iː/ or /ɪə/. Correction: keep the second syllable stressed and follow with the /z/ voice onset, then the small /ɪz/ at the end: /dɪˈfɛnzɪz/. Practice with minimal pairs to lock the /zɪz/ ending.
In US, /dɪˈfɛnzɪz/ with a rhotic /ɹ/ not present here; UK and AU share /dɪˈfɛnzɪz/ but vowel quality in /e/ as in 'dress' can be slightly tenser in UK; AU may have a softer /ə/ before final /zɪz/. Overall, rhoticity is not a factor; the main differences are vowel height/quality and flapping tendencies in casual US speech may affect the first vowel, but the core /dɪˈfɛnzɪz/ remains consistent.
Two main challenges: a fronted /ɪ/ in the second syllable and a voiced alveolar sibilant ending /zɪz/, which requires precise voicing and shaping of the tongue for a clear /z/ rather than a /s/. The cluster /zɪz/ can blur in rapid speech—practice by isolating /z/ and /ɪz/ separately, then blend. Also ensure the primary stress on the second syllable to avoid saying /dɪˈfɛnz/ or /dɪˈfænsɪz/.
Note the final syllable contains /zɪz/, requiring voiced zibilant + short /i/ before it. The preceding /n/ must be clearly articulated to prevent fusion with /z/. A good cue is to say ‘defense’ with US spelling, then add the /ɪz/ lightly: /dɪˈfɛnzɪz/. This helps distinguish from similar words like ‘defense’ vs. ‘fences’ in rapid speech.
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Defence, from Old French defensa, defended the act of defending, from Latin defensare, from defendere (to ward off, protect). In Middle English, defenden was used as a verb and defense as a noun. The word entered English through Norman influence after the 11th century, splitting into American and British spellings: defences (British/Commonwealth) and defenses (American). The semantic shift over centuries moved from physical protection (warding off harm) to broader protective measures including legal, rhetorical, and strategic contexts. First known use in English literature traces to medieval legal and military discussions where defences referred to arguments or fortifications used to repel an attack. Over time, the plural defences became common in sports (team formations), law (pleadings and defenses), and general usage to indicate multiple protective or justificatory measures. The term’s persistence reflects its versatile role in describing proactive, protective countermeasures rather than passive safety.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "defences" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "defences" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "defences"
-ces sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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