STRES-urz
/ˈstɹɛsɚz/
stressors is pronounced STRES-urz (/ˈstɹɛsɚz/). Stressors are things that cause stress or pressure, or factors that provoke a reaction in a system or individual. In psychology or social science, they refer to external circumstances that induce stress; in ecology or systems theory, they denote conditions that push a system toward a threshold. The plural form emphasizes multiple contributing factors rather than a single cause.
Stressors are things that cause stress or pressure, or factors that provoke a reaction in a system or individual. In psychology or social science, they refer to external circumstances that induce stress; in ecology or systems theory, they denote conditions that push a system toward a threshold. The plural form emphasizes multiple contributing factors rather than a single cause.
"The study examined how daily stressors accumulate over the week."
"Her job stressors included long hours and tight deadlines."
"Researchers identified several financial stressors impacting family well-being."
Pronounce as /ˈstrɛsˌɔrz/ in US and UK; US often /ˈstrɛsˌɔrz/, UK /ˈstrɛsˌɔːz/. The first syllable 'stress' carries primary stress, followed by a lighter, secondary stress on the second part ‘ors’. In fluent speech, the /ɔr/ may shift toward a monophthong in some accents, yielding a tighter vowel quality. Visualize the mouth opening for /ɛ/ (as in bed) then move to /ɔː/ (as in law) for the second syllable. Listen to a native speaker to hear the subtle schwa-like quality in rapid speech.” ,
Two common errors: (1) placing the primary stress on the second syllable and pronouncing as /ˈstrɛsərz/; fix by keeping primary stress on the first syllable /ˈstrɛs/. (2) Running the /ɔr/ into a dull /ɔ/ or /ɚ/; correct by producing a clear /ɔr/ sequence with the lips rounded slightly at onset of /ɔ/. Practice emphasizing the /ɔː/ or /ɔr/ transition and avoid a too-short vowel. Finally, avoid a clipped /s/ before the /t/—retain a crisp /t/ to preserve stress timing.
US: /ˈstrɛsˌɔrz/ with rhotic /r/ in the second syllable; short /ɛ/ in 'stress', final /rz/ combination. UK: /ˈstrɛsˌɔːz/ longer /ɔː/ vowel in second syllable, less rhotic rivalling r-coloring in non-rhotic dialects; in many British accents the /r/ is not pronounced unless before a vowel. AU: /ˈstrɛsˌɔːz/ similar to UK, with potential vowel lengthening and more pronounced vowel quality in /ɔː/. Note linking: stress- + -ors tends to assimilate; connected speech may reduce /ˈstrɛsə(r)z/ in rapid speech.
Because it combines a stressed initial syllable with a tense back rounded /ɔ/ in the second syllable and a cluster /rz/ that can be tricky when linking, especially in rapid speech or non-native phonotactics. The /str/ onset requires a precise tongue position—tip behind the upper teeth and a rapid stop then release. The /ɔr/ sequence may lose the r-coloring in non-rhotic accents; maintaining clear /ɔr/ vs /ɔː/ is essential. Practice emphasizing the first syllable while keeping a clean, audible transition to /ɔr/.
The word contains a front lax vowel in the first syllable /strɛs/ followed by an open-mid to close-mid back vowel in the second syllable /ɔr/. A unique aspect is maintaining the strong contrast between /ɛ/ (as in 'bed') and /ɔ/ (as in 'law'), and ensuring the /r/ is properly realized in rhotic accents without introducing extra vowel coloring in non-rhotic contexts. Focus on the crisp release after /t/ and the smooth glide into /ɔr/.
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US: emphasize rhotics and a clear /ɔr/ sequence; UK: less pronounced /r/ in non-rhotic contexts, longer /ɔː/; AU: similar to UK with slightly broader vowel quality and less tendency to bunched /r/. Vowel detail: /ɛ/ in stressed syllable is mid-open; /ɔ/ is mid-back rounded; lip rounding should be maintained into /ɔ/ for a natural transition to /r/. IPA anchors: US /ˈstrɛsˌɔrz/, UK /ˈstrɛsˌɔːz/, AU /ˈstrɛsˌɔːz/. Practice coarticulations: before /r/, keep mouth rounded but not overly; after /s/, avoid voiceless overlap.
Stressors derives from stress (from the Latin stringere, meaning to draw tight, bound, or compress) with the suffix -or (agentive) and the plural -s. The noun stress entered English in the 17th century via Old French estrese, related to physical strain, while ‘stress’ in psychological terms gained prominence in the 20th century. The -or suffix forms agents that cause or produce an action (as in tutor, actor), yielding stressor to denote something causing stress. In usage, stressor narrowed to denote external triggers of stress in individuals or systems as disciplines like psychology, physiology, and ecology began to apply the term to identify factors that provoke responses. By the late 20th century, ‘stressors’ became common in social sciences to describe external pressures—workload, finances, and social conflict—that contribute to stress-related outcomes. Today, stressors are studied in relation to coping mechanisms, resilience, and adaptive behavior, with emphasis on the cumulative effect of multiple stressors over time.
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Words that rhyme with "stressors"
-ers sounds
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