How to pronounce decriminalization
Say it like dee-krim-uh-nuh-luh-ZAY-shun. Decriminalization has seven syllables, and the main stress falls on the sixth one (ZAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce decriminalization. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dee
- krim
- uh
- nuh
- luh
- ZAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decriminalization pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- krimGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZAYSay 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 decriminalization
American and British speakers say decriminalization in essentially the same way: /diˌkrɪmənələˈzeɪʃən/ in the US and /diˌkrɪmənələˈzeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dee-krim-uh-nuh-luh-ZAY-shun.
What does decriminalization mean?
- The act of making an activity or substance no longer criminalized (no longer a crime, subject to criminal penalties, to perform or possess). (Compare legalization, which often implies regulation.)“the decriminalization of all plant-based psychedelics”
- The act of ceasing to treat a person as a criminal, by making their activities legal or no longer subjecting them to the criminal justice system (but instead possibly the mental healthcare system, etc).
Where does decriminalization come from?
From de- + criminalization or decriminalize + -ation.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with decriminalization
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of decriminalization.
Questions about saying decriminalization
How do you pronounce decriminalization?
Say dee-krim-uh-nuh-luh-ZAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /diˌkrɪmənələˈzeɪʃən/. In British English it is /diˌkrɪmənələˈzeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decriminalization?
Decriminalization has seven syllables, and the main stress falls on the sixth one (ZAY). Broken into parts: dee · krim · uh · nuh · luh · ZAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say decriminalization the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /diˌkrɪmənələˈzeɪʃən/ and the British form is /diˌkrɪmənələˈzeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.