4 syllables: He, ge, mo, ny. Stress on ge.
hee-JEM-uh-nee
/hiˈdʒɛməni/
Hegemony is pronounced hee-JEM-uh-nee (/hiˈdʒɛməni/). It has four syllables (He-ge-mo-ny), with the stress on "ge". Hegemony is the leadership or influence of one nation, class, or group over others, often achieved through political, economic, or cultural power rather than direct force. It denotes a dominant but sometimes accepted authority that shapes norms, values, and behavior within a society or region. The term is frequently used in political science, sociology, and international relations to describe hegemons and hegemonic systems.
nounHegemony is the leadership or influence of one nation, class, or group over others, often achieved through political, economic, or cultural power rather than direct force. It denotes a dominant but sometimes accepted authority that shapes norms, values, and behavior within a society or region. The term is frequently used in political science, sociology, and international relations to describe hegemons and hegemonic systems.
How to Pronounce Hegemony
"The country maintained its economic and cultural hegemony for decades."
"Scholars debated how cultural hegemony affects social norms and education."
"The university’s corporate sponsorship reinforced its media and research hegemony."
Pronounced /ˌhɛdʒˈɛməni/ (US) or /ˌhedʒˈɛməni/ (UK). Primary stress is on the third syllable: he-gem-ə-ní. Start with a light “heh” before a clear “jem” chunk, then a soft schwa in the third, and a final “nee” or “ni.” Listen for the dʒ sound as in judge, and ensure the vowel in the second syllable is a short e. Audio reference: you can compare with authoritative dictionaries or a pronunciation video. IPA helps you map tongue position precisely: tensed /dʒ/ blend, unstressed schwa endings.
Two frequent errors: misplacing the stress (putting it on the first or second syllable) and conflating the initial /h/ with a weaker glottal or omitting the /dʒ/ blend. Corrective tips: practice the /dʒ/ as a single palatal affricate (like in judge), keep the /ˈɛm/ strong but not overly elongated, and place primary stress on the third syllable: he-jem-ə-NY. Ensure the final -ny is a light, unstressed schwa-nyee, not a hard “nee.” Record yourself to confirm syllable-timing and rhythm.
US, UK, and AU share the /hɪdʒˈɛməni/ family, but subtle differences exist: US tends to a clearer /dʒ/ and slightly flatter vowels; UK often preserves a sharper /e/ in the second syllable and a non-rhotic /ɜː/ where applicable in connected speech; AU typical pronunciation aligns with RP-like vowels but with flatter intonation and a slightly shorter final syllable. Overall, the main stress pattern remains on the third syllable, but vowel qualities and rhythm can shift with accent.
Key challenges are the three-syllable rhythm with primary stress on the third syllable, the palatal /dʒ/ cluster at the start of the second syllable, and the unstressed final -ny which reduces to a soft schwa + i. Practitioners often misplace the stress, or replace /dʒ/ with a /j/ or /t͡ʃ/; or overly stiffen the second syllable vowel. Focus on a crisp /dʒ/ release, a clear /ɛm/, and a light, almost inaudible final /ni/ to land the word cleanly.
The unique feature is the non-final syllable emphasis with a heavy third syllable stress amid a three-syllable word: he-jem-ə-NY. This pattern creates a noticeable crest in the middle-to-end of the word, which can mislead speakers to shift stress earlier. Visualize the word’s peak on the third syllable, and keep the preceding syllables short and crisp. Practicing with minimal pairs and syllable-timed rhythm helps cement the cadence.
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Hegemony comes from the Greek hegemonia, from hegemon (leader, ruler), itself from hegeomai (to lead, rule) + -ia. The term first appeared in classical Greek political discourse to describe the leadership of one city-state or group over others. In ancient contexts, hegemonia referred to the predominant influence of Athens or Sparta within the Greek world. The concept matured through Roman and medieval political thought but gained its modern scholarly sense in the 19th and 20th centuries, as sociologists and political scientists analyzed how power can be exercised beyond formal sovereignty. In contemporary usage, “hegemony” covers cultural, economic, and ideological dominance, often framed as a soft power mechanism rather than overt coercion. The word evolved to critique or defend dominant systems, from imperial cores to transnational corporate influence, while retaining its core sense of leadership and controlling influence. First known uses can be traced to classical texts and later to 19th-century political theory discussions that describe hegemonic order and authority within interstate relations and social hierarchies.
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Words that rhyme with "Hegemony"
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