2 syllables: there, with. Stress on with.
ther-WITH
/ðɛrˈwɪð/
therewith is pronounced ther-WITH (/ðɛrˈwɪð/). It has two syllables (there-with), with the stress on "with". Therewith is a formal, archaic preposition meaning with that thing or accompanying that; it can also function as an adverb meaning with it. It often appears in legal, religious, or historical texts and conveys a concise sense of possession or accompaniment. The pronunciation remains stable across contexts, but its formality influences usage and register.
Therewith is a formal, archaic preposition meaning with that thing or accompanying that; it can also function as an adverb meaning with it. It often appears in legal, religious, or historical texts and conveys a concise sense of possession or accompaniment. The pronunciation remains stable across contexts, but its formality influences usage and register.
"The contract was signed, and he handed over the documents therewith."
"She accepted the gift therewith, bowing graciously to the donor."
"The team reported the findings therewith, together with supporting data."
Therewith is pronounced with two syllables: /ðerˈwɪð/ in most General American and /ðeəˈwɪð/ in many UK varieties, with the main stress on the second syllable. Start with the voiced th sound /ð/ as in 'this,' then /ə/ or /ɜː/ (the 'er' sound). The second part is /wɪð/ with a short i as in 'with' and a voiced dental fricative /ð/ at the end. Keep your tongue between the teeth for /ð/ and finish with a light, clipped /ð/ sound. Audio reference available in standard dictionaries and platforms like YouGlish for regional variation.
Common mistakes: clipping the second syllable, saying /ˈθɛrwɪð/ with a harder T or silent th; misplacing stress on the first syllable; mispronouncing the final /ð/ as /d/ or /v/. Correction tips: ensure primary stress on the second syllable (there-WITH), begin with /ð/ as in 'these,' keep the final /ð/ voiced and dental, not a stop. Practice by saying 'there' quickly then attach 'with' fluidly, keeping both /ð/ sounds distinct and the /w/ clear.
In US English, /ðərˈwɪð/ with a rhotic /ɹ/ leading into a clear /ə/. In many UK varieties, /ðəˈwɪð/ or /ðeəˈwɪð/ can appear with less vowel reduction and sometimes a shorter first syllable; the /ð/ remains. In Australian English, you’ll hear /ðeəˈwɪð/ with a slightly wider vowel in the first syllable and a rolled or tapped approximant in rapid speech; final /ð/ is consistent. Despite regional shifts, the core structure there- with, stress on the second syllable, remains.
It challenges because it blends two function words into a compact form, forcing precise timing and consonant sequencing: the initial /ð/ cluster beginning in the mouth, followed by a rapid /ər/ or /ə/, then an affricated /wɪð/. The final /ð/ requires maintaining voice and dental placement without turning it into a d-sound. Practicing the two final sounds in quick succession, and maintaining the emphasis on the second syllable, helps achieve natural rhythm.
Yes. The word is bimoraic with a primary stress on the second syllable: there-WITH. The onset /ð/ and the nucleus /ər/ frame a diphthong-like transition into /wɪð/. Mouth positioning requires the tongue between the teeth for /ð/, a relaxed mid-central vowel for /ə/ or /ɜː/ in the first syllable, a rounded /w/ onset for the second syllable, and a final strong dental /ð/. The practice is to keep the final /ð/ clearly voiced, not devoiced or replaced by /d/.
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Therewith originates in Middle English, combining there + with. The word there derives from Old English þǣr, meaning 'in or at that place,' and with comes from Old English wið, which carries the sense of accompaniment or opposition depending on context. Over time, therewith fused into a single prepositional-adverbial form used in more formal or legal registers. In early legal and religious texts, therewith appeared as a compact way to indicate ‘with that thing’ or ‘and that in addition to what has been stated.’ Its usage peaked in Early Modern English and has largely persisted in archaic or formal prose, especially in contracts, statutes, and ceremonial language. First known appearances can be traced to semantic compounds in medieval legal charters, where precise prepositional coordination mattered for property, obligations, and ceremonial rites. Though less common in contemporary colloquial speech, therewith survives as a fixed, high-register option that signals formality and traditional diction. The word’s compact morphology—there + with—reflects a seamless prepositional fusion typical of English’s propensity for syntactic efficiency in legal and liturgical genres.
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Words that rhyme with "therewith"
-ith sounds
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