The spelling of the word "ex pounders" may seem confusing at first glance, but it is relatively simple when broken down phonetically. The IPA transcription for this word is /eks ˈpaʊndərz/. "Ex" is pronounced as "eks," and "pounders" is pronounced as "paʊndərz." Taken together, the word refers to individuals who were formerly incarcerated, with "ex" meaning "former" or "out of." Despite its unusual spelling, this word is becoming more common in discussions surrounding criminal justice reform.