How to pronounce retaliation
Say it like ree-tal-ee-AY-shun. Retaliation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retaliation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- tal
- ee
- AY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retaliation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- talGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- AYSay 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 retaliation
American and British speakers say retaliation in essentially the same way: /riˌtæliˈeɪʃən/ in the US and /riˌtæliˈeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ree-tal-ee-AY-shun.
What does retaliation mean?
- action taken in return for an injury or offense
Where does retaliation come from?
From retaliate + -ion.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with retaliation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of retaliation.
Questions about saying retaliation
How do you pronounce retaliation?
Say ree-tal-ee-AY-shun. The American pronunciation is /riˌtæliˈeɪʃən/. In British English it is /riˌtæliˈeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retaliation?
Retaliation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AY). Broken into parts: ree · tal · ee · AY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say retaliation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /riˌtæliˈeɪʃən/ and the British form is /riˌtæliˈeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.