How to pronounce persecution
Say it like pur-suh-KYOO-shun. Persecution has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce persecution. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pur
- suh
- KYOO
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Persecution pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- purGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of persecution
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: pur-suh-KYOO-shun.
What does persecution mean?
- the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
Where does persecution come from?
Equivalent to persecute + -ion.
Words that rhyme with persecution
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of persecution.
- solution
- distribution
- resolution
- constitution
- revolution
- evolution
- institution
- contribution
- execution
- pollution
Questions about saying persecution
How do you pronounce persecution?
Say pur-suh-KYOO-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɝsəˈkjuʃən/. In British English it is /ˌpɜːsəˈkjuːʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in persecution?
Persecution has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KYOO). Broken into parts: pur · suh · KYOO · shun.
Is persecution pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌpɜːsəˈkjuːʃən/ (pur-suh-KYOO-shun).