4 syllables: nar, ci, ssis, m. Stress on nar.
/ˈnɑɹsɪˌsɪzəm/
Say it backnarcissism is a personality tendency characterized by excessive self-focus, grandiosity, and a lack of empathy for others. It describes an enduring pattern of thinking and behaving that centers on the self, often accompanied by a preoccupation with one's appearance or abilities. The term is used in psychology, popular discourse, and clinical contexts to discuss individuals who display persistent self-admiring or self-centered traits.
"Her narcissism became evident as she insisted on taking the lead in every project."
"Therapists address narcissism when it interferes with healthy relationships or empathy."
"Media portrayals often exaggerate narcissism for comedic or dramatic effect."
Pronounce as /nɑːrˈsɪsɪzəm/ (US) or /nɑːˈsɪsɪz(ə)m/ (UK); stressed on the second syllable: nar-SIS-sim. Start with a broad 'nar' with an open back vowel, then a short 'sis' and a soft 'm' ending. IPA guides help: /nɑːr/ or /nɑː/ for the first syllable, /ˈsɪ/ for the stressed middle, /sɪz/ for the next, and /əm/ or /zəm/ for the final. Think of a quick, crisp 'sis' rather than a drawn-out 'sis-sim'.
Common errors include misplacing stress (trying to stress the ending syllable), pronouncing the first vowel as a short /æ/ instead of /ɑː/ or /ɑːr/ in some accents, and running the 'sis' sounds together with a 'z' sound. Correct by holding /ɑː/ in the first syllable, keeping /ˈsɪ/ in the second syllable, and clearly articulating /sɪz/ before the final /əm/ or /əm/ with a light, voiced ending.
US tends to reduce r-colored vowel in /nɑːr/, with clear /ˈsɪsɪzəm/. UK often uses a shorter /ɑː/ and slightly looser final /(ə)m/, while AU may have more centralized vowel quality and a more clipped rhythm. In all variants, the middle /ˈsɪ/ syllable remains stressed; ensure the /z/ is voiced and the final /əm/ is light.
It's challenging because of the cluster /r/ after an open syllable, the short, repeated /ɪ/ in the middle syllables, and the voiced /z/ followed by an unstressed /əm/ ending. The sequence nar-CIS-sim relies on precise vowel length, clear sibilants, and a quick, controlled transition from /ˈsɪ/ to /z/ to /əm/. Practicing by breaking into syllables and tying them with breath helps.
A notable feature is the double-syllable 'sis' block with a strong, clear /s/ sound followed by a voiced /z/ in /-sɪz-/. The stress falls on the second syllable, making nar-SIS-sim; ensuring the 'sis' portion doesn’t merge with the final vowel is key. Keep the final /əm/ light and quick to avoid an extra emphasis on the last syllable.
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Narcissism originates from the figure Narcissus in Greek mythology, famed for falling in love with his own reflection. The term entered English via late 19th-century psychiatry, building on psychoanalytic context; it first appeared in medical writings to describe self-love as a pathological condition. The core idea links to excessive self-regard and vanity; the root narcissus is from Greek narkissos, a name possibly connected to narke (numbness) or to the mythic self-adoration. Over time, the word extended beyond clinical psychology to broader social discourse, often used pejoratively to describe people with inflated self-regard or grandiose behavior. The concept has undergone refinement within psychiatric nosology, but the everyday sense remains a blend of vanity, entitlement, and mutual disregard in interpersonal relations.
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Words that rhyme with "narcissism"
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