How to pronounce annihilation
Say it like uh-ny-uh-LAY-shun. Annihilation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce annihilation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- ny
- uh
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Annihilation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of annihilation
American and British speakers say annihilation in essentially the same way: /əˌnaɪəˈleɪʃən/ in the US and /əˌnaɪəˈleɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-ny-uh-LAY-shun.
What does annihilation mean?
- The act of destroying or otherwise turning into nothing, or nonexistence.
- The act of destroying the form or combination of parts under which a thing exists, so that the name can no longer be applied to it.“the annihilation of a corporation”
- The state of being annihilated.
Where does annihilation come from?
From Middle French annihilation, from Latin annihilātiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with annihilation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of annihilation.
Questions about saying annihilation
How do you pronounce annihilation?
Say uh-ny-uh-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /əˌnaɪəˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /əˌnaɪəˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in annihilation?
Annihilation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (LAY). Broken into parts: uh · ny · uh · LAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say annihilation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˌnaɪəˈleɪʃən/ and the British form is /əˌnaɪəˈleɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.