How to pronounce terrorism
Say it like TER-uh-riz-um. Terrorism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce terrorism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TER
- uh
- riz
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Terrorism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rizGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of terrorism
American and British speakers say terrorism in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/ in the US and /ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: TER-uh-riz-um.
What does terrorism mean?
- the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear
Where does terrorism come from?
The word first appears in English in 1795 in reference to the Jacobin radicals of France, who ruled during the Reign of Terror.
Questions about saying terrorism
How do you pronounce terrorism?
Say TER-uh-riz-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in terrorism?
Terrorism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER). Broken into parts: TER · uh · riz · um.
Do Americans and Brits say terrorism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/ and the British form is /ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.