STAN-siz
/ˈstænsɪz/
stances is pronounced STAN-siz (/ˈstænsɪz/). Stances refers to one's bodily posture or a set of attitudes toward an issue. In plural form, it commonly denotes multiple postures or positions taken in various contexts—physical stances in sports or debate stances in discussions. The term emphasizes viewpoint or position, often tied to readiness or stance-based strategy. Overall, it underlines how someone positions themselves in space or argument.
Stances refers to one's bodily posture or a set of attitudes toward an issue. In plural form, it commonly denotes multiple postures or positions taken in various contexts—physical stances in sports or debate stances in discussions. The term emphasizes viewpoint or position, often tied to readiness or stance-based strategy. Overall, it underlines how someone positions themselves in space or argument.
"Athletes adjust their stances to improve balance before the sprint."
"In debates, diverse stances emerged on healthcare policy."
"The photographer warned the model to keep her stances relaxed for the shot."
Stances is pronounced with the stressed first syllable: /ˈstæn.sɪz/. Start with a clear /st/ blend, then an æ as in cat, followed by n, and end with /sɪz/. The final /z/ is voiced, not a voiceless /s/. You’ll find it rhymes with chances. IPA: /ˈstænsɪz/.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (say-ting instead of STAN-siz) and making the second syllable a schwa or a /ɪ/ without the z-ending. Another error is replacing /æ/ with /eɪ/ or /ɑː/ in the first syllable. Focus on a short, crisp æ in the first vowel and ensure the final z is voiced: /ˈstænsɪz/.
In US and UK, the initial /æ/ remains similar, but rhoticity may tint the following vowel slightly in some IPA renderings. Australian speakers tend to be less rhotic, but /stænsɪz/ remains, with potential vowel shortening and a crisper /s/ before the /ɪ/. Overall, the core /ˈstæns-ɪz/ pattern is stable; slight vowel length and quality shifts occur with accent. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈstænsɪz/.
The difficulty lies in the cluster /st/ at the start and the final voiced /z/ after a short /ɪ/ in rapid speech. Coordinating the alveolar nasal /n/ with the following velar or alveolar sibilant requires precise timing. The orality of /æ/ in the first syllable plus the voiced /z/ can blur in fast speech. Practice by isolating the start /st/ blend and ensuring you finish with a clear /z/ rather than a clipped /s/.
Yes. While the root stress remains on the first syllable /ˈstænts/ in most uses, sentence-level emphasis can shift stress to convey stance emphasis. For example, in contrastive contexts you might stress the noun and elongate the vowel slightly: “He took a STANces on this issue,” whereas in a neutral clause you’d keep it front-stressed and quick: “The team’s stances are clear.” This affects intonation and can alter perceived attitude. IPA: /ˈstænsɪz/.
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Stance comes from the Old French estance and Latin standby texts; it gained its sense of posture in older English through a metaphorical extension from standing or placing oneself in a position. The root est- in estare meant to stand or stand firm, with the -ance suffix forming a noun indicating a state or condition. Early uses described physical postures or positions in combat or movement, then broadened to include figurative positions, attitudes, or frameworks in argument. The plural stances appears as a natural pluralization in English because the word describes multiple positions or attitudes. The modern sense in both sports and discourse hinges on a stable, deliberate pose, whether literal bodies or ideological postures. First known usages appear in Middle English documents that reflect the influence of Norman French on legal, military, and rhetorical texts, where a person’s stance indicated their readiness or alignment within a confrontation or discussion. Over time, stances came to encompass figurative meanings such as policy stances or ethical stances, becoming common in political and academic discourse by the 19th and 20th centuries. In contemporary usage, stances are discussed in terms of strategic positioning, often with attention to balance, leverage, and implication of beliefs.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "stances" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "stances" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "stances"
-nce sounds
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