3 syllables: Re, tro, spect. Stress on Re.
RET-ruh-spekt
/ˈɹɛtɹəˌspɛkt/
Retrospect is pronounced RET-ruh-spekt (/ˈɹɛtɹəˌspɛkt/). It has three syllables (Re-tro-spect), with the stress on "Re". Retrospect is a noun meaning a looking back or thinking about the past, often in a reflective or evaluative way. It typically refers to recalling past events to analyze or judge them. The term is commonly used in formal writing and discussions of memory, history, or decision-making. The nuance emphasizes contemplation rather than forward-looking planning.
nounRetrospect is a noun meaning a looking back or thinking about the past, often in a reflective or evaluative way. It typically refers to recalling past events to analyze or judge them. The term is commonly used in formal writing and discussions of memory, history, or decision-making. The nuance emphasizes contemplation rather than forward-looking planning.
How to Pronounce Retrospect
"In retrospect, I would have handled the negotiation differently."
"The committee paused for a moment of retrospection before presenting its findings."
"From a modern perspective, the policy seems misguided in retrospect."
US: /ˌriː.trəˈspekt/ or /ˌrɛ.trəˈspɛkt/; UK: /ˌrɛ.trəˈspɛkt/; AU: /ˌrɛ.trəˈspɛkt/. Primary stress often lands on the third syllable in careful speech: re-trōs-pect. Break it into re- (ri-), tra- (trə/tre), spect (spect). Start with a clear 'reh' or 'ruh,' then a light schwa, then the crisp 'spect' ending. In connected speech, you may hear the middle syllable reduce slightly. Audio reference: search for “retrospect” in reputable dictionaries or pronunciation resources to hear the stressed variant in your dialect.
Two common errors: 1) stress on the first syllable (RE-truh-spekt) instead of the third (ri-trə-SPEKT); 2) merging the middle vowel too strongly, yielding /riˈtɹɒs.pɛkt/ instead of a light, unstressed middle /trə/ or /tə/. Correction: keep the prefix lightly voiced, place primary stress on the final syllable in most careful enunciation, and render the middle as a neutral schwa or short /ə/. Practice with minimal pairs to lock in the correct rhythm.
US typically gives a stronger initial unstressed sequence /riː.trəˈspɛkt/ or /ˌrɛ.trəˈspɛkt/, with a rhotic American 'r' before the vowel. UK tends to reduce the second syllable slightly and may show /ˌrɛ.trəˈspɛkt/ with non-rhotic tendencies in some speakers; AU often aligns with UK patterns but can maintain a lighter /ɪ/ or /eɪ/ in the first vowel depending on speaker. The final -spect remains crisp. IPA notes: US /ˌriːˈtrɒspekt/ or /ˌriː.trəˈspɛkt/, UK /ˌrɛ.trəˈspɛkt/, AU /ˌrɛ.trəˈspɛkt/; pay attention to rhoticity and vowel quality in the first two syllables.
The difficulty centers on accurate syllable-timing and the stressed-final -spect cluster. The 'trə' or 'tɹə' middle requires light, quick schwa reduction and a clean separation before -spect. The final consonant cluster /spɛkt/ needs a crisp release without vocalic intrusion. Additionally, optional variations in US vs UK pronunciation alter the middle vowel length. Mastery requires practicing the shift of primary stress toward the final syllable and maintaining a clear onset for -spect.
In standard pronunciations, the middle is typically /trə/ (a light, reduced schwa) when the word is pronounced in careful speech, yielding /rɪˈtrɒ.spɛkt/ or /ˌriː.trəˈspɛkt/. You do not usually pronounce a full /tro/ because the syllable is unstressed. The emphasis lands on the final -spect, so the middle remains soft and unstressed. In rapid speech, the middle may reduce even more, but you should avoid a strong /tro/ unless your dialect favors a longer vowel in that slot.
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Retrospect comes from the Latin prefix retro- meaning backward, combined with aspectum (from aspicere), meaning ‘a view or sight.’ The word entered English in the 17th century, with early uses in scholarly or rhetorical contexts to denote looking back on past events or circumstances. The sense evolved from a general idea of ‘a looking back’ to a more precise notion of reviewing or reflecting upon past experiences to draw lessons or judgments. In Latin, retro- is related to retro facere “to fashion backward,” and aspectus relates to look or sight. Over centuries, retrospect has maintained a formal tone, often appearing in essays, critiques, or historiography, and later adopted into more everyday reflective discourse. The term is closely linked to related phrases like ‘retrospective’ (adjective) and ‘retrospectively’ (adverb), signifying time-oriented reflection across past periods.
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Words that rhyme with "Retrospect"
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