The word "desto" is typically spelled with a "d" followed by an "e" instead of an "o," as it may appear. The correct pronunciation of "desto" can be represented through the International Phonetic Alphabet, where the first syllable is pronounced with a "d" sound, followed by an "ɛ" sound in the second syllable. While this may seem confusing due to potential misspellings or variations, using proper IPA transcription can aid in clarity and accuracy when communicating the word "desto."