uhn-AN-surd
/ˌʌˈnænsɚd/
unanswered is pronounced uhn-AN-surd (/ˌʌˈnænsɚd/). Unanswered describes a question or issue that has not received an answer or resolution. It functions as an adjective and often implies ongoing ambiguity or lack of response. In context, it can modify nouns or appear in phrases like “unanswered questions,” highlighting gaps in information or consideration.
Unanswered describes a question or issue that has not received an answer or resolution. It functions as an adjective and often implies ongoing ambiguity or lack of response. In context, it can modify nouns or appear in phrases like “unanswered questions,” highlighting gaps in information or consideration.
"The journalist posed several unanswered questions during the interview."
"Her email left the matter unanswered, which frustrated the team."
"Researchers discussed the unanswered implications of the data hangover."
Pronounce it as /ˌʌnˈænsərd/ (US) or /ˌʌnˈɑːnsəd/ (UK). The stress lands on the second syllable: un-AN-swered. Start with /ʌ/ as in 'cup', then /n/, then /æ/ as in 'cat' for the stressed syllable, then /nsər/ or /nsəd/ in rapid speech, and end with /d/. In practice, layer the vowel of the first syllable lightly and lift into the strong /æ/ for the stressed vowel, followed by the rhotic /r/ in American English if you’re using rhotic pronunciation. You’ll hear a slight vowel reduction in the last syllable in casual speech, but preserve the /d/ at the end for clarity.
Common errors: (1) stressing the wrong syllable (unstressed second or first) – ensure secondary stress on the second syllable. (2) Condensing /æ/ toward /e/ or /ʌ/ in the stressed vowel, keep /æ/ as in 'cat'. (3) Silencing the /r/ in American pronunciation when followed by a vowel, practice with rhotic linkage: /ˈænsər/ plus linking /d/. Corrections: say /ˌʌnˈænsərd/ with clear /æ/ and the final /d/, and practice by saying ‘un-AN-swered’ slowly, then blend. Include a light /ə/ in the second syllable only if needed in rhythm.
US: rhotic /r/ is pronounced; /ˌʌnˈænsərd/ with /ɚ/ or /ər/ in the second syllable depending on dialect. UK: non-rhotic; /ˌʌnˈɑːnsəd/ with a weaker final -ed; reduce final syllable vowels to schwa /ə/. Australian: non-rhotic to variably rhotic; /ˌʌnˈænsəd/ or /ˌʌnˈɑːnsəd/ with vowel quality closer to /ɐ/ in stressed syllable and a soft /d/ ending. In all, the key differences are rhoticity of /r/ and quality of the stressed vowel; the UK tends toward a longer /ɑː/ and a more centralized ending in rapid speech. IPA references: US /ˌʌnˈænsərd/, UK /ˌʌnˈɑːnsəd/, AU /ˌʌnˈænsəd/.
It challenges several features: (a) balanced syllable rhythm across three syllables with primary stress on the second; (b) blending the /æ/ of the stressed syllable with the nasal cluster /ns/; (c) the final /d/ blending with a potential schwa in fast speech. Also, linking from /n/ to /æ/ and the /r/ in rhotic accents can create subtle shifts in tongue position. Focus on maintaining a distinct /æ/ in the stressed syllable, then a quick, crisp /d/ at the end. Practicing the exact IPA sequence helps you lock the timing.
A distinctive feature is the unstressed first syllable ducking toward /ə/ in rapid speech while preserving the strong second syllable. The main challenge is maintaining the /æ/ and the /r/ or /ɹ/ quality in rhotic variants, without letting it become a lazy vowel. The unique pronunciation focus is the transition from /n/ to /æ/ to /ns/ and closing with /ərd/ or /əd/ depending on accent. Practically, emphasize the mid stress and the /æ/ vowel to anchor the word.
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US: rhotic /ɹ/ is prominent; /ənˈænsərd/ tends toward a clear /ɹ/ and /æ/ in stressed syllable. UK: non-rhotic; avoid heavy rhotic coloring; stress sits on the second syllable; ending often /əd/ or /əd/. AU: variable rhoticity; expect mid vowels; the ending vowels tend to be less reduced; practice with a relaxed jaw; blend /ns/ into /s/ with slight mouth opening. IPA references: US /ˌʌnˈænsərd/, UK /ˌʌnˈɑːnsəd/, AU /ˌʌnˈænsəd/.
Unanswered combines the prefix un- (from Old English un-, a negative prefix indicating reversal or absence) with the base verb answer, dating to Middle English. Answer derives from Old English onswarian, itself from the combination of ons- (on) and swerian (to swear or vow, originally to proclaim, respond). Over centuries, answer evolved in sense from a response to a request or declaration to include forms that lack a response. The prefix un- attached to the past-participle-like form -ed yields the participial adjective unanswered, indicating not having been answered. The term’s usage intensified with formalization of inquiry-led discourse in legal, academic, and journalistic contexts, where unanswered items signal incompleteness or gaps in knowledge. In modern usage, unanswered often coexists with related phrases like “unanswered questions” or “unanswered emails,” retaining its sense of absence of a resolutive reply. The phrase has become a staple in evaluating the completeness of information across domains. It appears in print as early as the 19th century, with frequency growth in the 20th and 21st centuries due to rise of rapid information exchange and data-driven reporting.
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Words that rhyme with "unanswered"
-her sounds
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