How to Pronounce Paternalistic

To pronounce "paternalistic", say PAT-ern-al-ist-ic — 5 syllables. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

paternalistic

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying paternalistic, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

5

Syllables

13

Letters

PAT-ern-al-ist-ic

Say it like

💡 Tip for remembering “paternalistic”

"paternalistic" has 5 syllables: pat-ern-al-ist-ic. It rhymes with altruistic and narcissistic, if that helps it stick.

What does paternalistic mean?

adjective

  1. The quality of being paternal, i.e. like a father, e.g. characterized by behaving in benevolent and yet intrusive manner towards underlings
  2. Of, pertaining to, characteristic of or practicing paternalism

Words that rhyme with paternalistic

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

altruisticnarcissisticcharacteristicoptimisticantagonisticsadisticheuristicholisticartisticrealisticautistichedonistic

Related words

paternalparentalpatriarchypatriarchalnannyingpatronisingpatronizingcondescending

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "paternalistic"?▾

"Paternalistic" has 5 syllables: pat · ern · al · ist · ic.

What does "paternalistic" mean?▾

Paternalistic: The quality of being paternal, i.e. like a father, e.g. characterized by behaving in benevolent and yet intrusive manner towards underlings

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “paternalistic” in the full dictionary →