How to pronounce compulsion
Say it like kum-PUHL-shun. Compulsion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce compulsion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kum
- PUHL
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Compulsion pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PUHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of compulsion
American and British speakers say compulsion in essentially the same way: /kəmˈpʌlʃən/ in the US and /kəmˈpʌlʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: kum-PUHL-shun.
What does compulsion mean?
- An irrational need or irresistible urge to perform some action, often despite negative consequences.“During the basketball game, I had a sudden compulsion to have a smoke.”
- The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act.
- The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration).
Where does compulsion come from?
Borrowed from Middle French compulsion, from Late Latin compulsiō, from Latin compellere (“to compel, coerce”); see compel.
Words that rhyme with compulsion
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of compulsion.
Questions about saying compulsion
How do you pronounce compulsion?
Say kum-PUHL-shun. The American pronunciation is /kəmˈpʌlʃən/. In British English it is /kəmˈpʌlʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in compulsion?
Compulsion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUHL). Broken into parts: kum · PUHL · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say compulsion the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəmˈpʌlʃən/ and the British form is /kəmˈpʌlʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.