5 syllables: in, ter, de, pen, dence. Stress on pen.
in-tur-duh-PEN-duhns
/ˌɪntɚdəˈpɛndəns/
interdependence is pronounced in-tur-duh-PEN-duhns (/ˌɪntɚdəˈpɛndəns/). It has five syllables (in-ter-de-pen-dence), with the stress on "pen". Interdependence refers to a relationship among elements or groups in which each party’s functioning depends on and reinforces the others. It describes mutual reliance where outcomes are co-created rather than controlled by a single agent, highlighting collaborative synergy and shared responsibility. The term is common in social science, ecology, and systems thinking discussions.
Interdependence refers to a relationship among elements or groups in which each party’s functioning depends on and reinforces the others. It describes mutual reliance where outcomes are co-created rather than controlled by a single agent, highlighting collaborative synergy and shared responsibility. The term is common in social science, ecology, and systems thinking discussions.
"The interdependence of ecosystems means that the loss of one species can affect others in unexpected ways."
"In a tightly knit team, interdependence helps members leverage diverse strengths to achieve a common goal."
"Policy analyses often emphasize how economic and political interdependence shapes global decision-making."
Pronounce as in-ter-dep-EN-dence with primary stress on the third syllable: /ˌɪn.tə.dɪˈpɛn.dəns/. The sequence flows as three consonant-vowel clusters before the final -dence. Start with /ˈɪn/ then a light /tə/ or /tɚ/ depending on accent, then /dɪˈpɛn/ and finish with /dəns/. Keep the /d/ and /n/ soft and avoid over-enunciating the final -s; it’s a morpheme boundary, not a separate vowel sound. You can listen to /ˌɪn.tə.dɪˈpen.dəns/ for reference.
Common mistakes include stressing the wrong syllable (placing main stress on the second or fourth syllable), compressing the middle syllables into one, or pronouncing the /p/ too aspirated. Correct by marking the primary stress on -pen- (dɛn) and keeping the first two syllables lighter: in-ter-də-PEN-dens. Practice the sequence /ɪn tə dɪ ˈpɛn dəns/ and avoid adding extra vowel length after the /t/. Also watch for turning /d/ into a flap in quick speech.
US: rhotic, with /ˌɪn.tə.dɪˈpɛn.dəns/ and clear /r/ only as an allophone within a following vowel. UK: nonrhotic r, the ending may be /-dəns/ with crisper vowel qualities; UK speakers may reduce /t/ to a soft tap in rapid speech. AU: tends toward broader vowels and sometimes a longer /ɪ/ in initial syllables; final syllable often slightly reduced as /-dəns/ with less syllable tension. Across all, primary stress remains on the third syllable; the vowel quality in pen varies by accent.
Difficulties stem from the sequence of unstressed and stressed syllables, especially the cluster -dep- in the middle and the final -dence, which can blur in rapid speech. The combination /dɪˈpɛn/ requires precise vowel placement, and the final /dəns/ can reduce to /dns/ in casual speech. Additionally, the word has a multi-morphemic structure with re- syllabification; keeping the three primary syllables distinct helps. Practice with careful pacing and segment-wide stress planning.
A unique feature is the prominent tertiary stress on the penultimate syllable in many contexts, emphasizing the interconnectedness shown by the root dependence while keeping the entire word flowing as /ˌɪn.tə.dɪˈpɛn.dəns/. The challenge is to maintain a crisp /d/ before the final -əns and to avoid inserting extra vowels or delaying the final -n sound. Accurate timing of the /ˈpɛn/ cluster is essential.
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Interdependence emerges from the combination of the Latin prefix inter- meaning ‘between, among’ and the stem dependere from Roman Latin dependere, meaning ‘to hang from, rely on,’ itself formed from de- (away) + pendere (to hang, weigh). The concept entered English scholarly usage in the 20th century, adapting a scientific and sociopolitical vocabulary to describe complex systems where components are mutually contingent. Early ecological writings used it to describe trophic and habitat interconnections, while social sciences adopted it to explain how institutions, economies, and communities influence one another. The form inter- + dependence coalesced into interdependence by analogy with co-dependence and mutual dependence, with the current noun often treated as first attested in academic discourse in the mid-20th century and becoming common in policy and systems thinking towards the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The word’s evolution reflects a shift from simple cause-effect models to networked, holistic analyses of interactions, acknowledging that outcomes arise from the dynamic interplay of interlinked elements.
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Words that rhyme with "interdependence"
-nce sounds
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