4 syllables: a, bol, ish, ing. Stress on bol.
uh-BAH-lish-ing
/əˈbɑlɪʃɪŋ/
abolishing is pronounced uh-BAH-lish-ing (/əˈbɑlɪʃɪŋ/). It has four syllables (a-bol-ish-ing), with the stress on "bol". Abolishing is the act of formally ending or removing a system, practice, or institution. It emphasizes the process of eradicating a long-standing rule or law, rather than merely stopping a temporary action. In pronunciation practice, it centers on the suffix -ing and the adjacent consonant cluster, often affecting fluency and vowel length in connected speech.
Abolishing is the act of formally ending or removing a system, practice, or institution. It emphasizes the process of eradicating a long-standing rule or law, rather than merely stopping a temporary action. In pronunciation practice, it centers on the suffix -ing and the adjacent consonant cluster, often affecting fluency and vowel length in connected speech.
"The country is considering abolishing capital punishment."
"Activists campaigned for abolishing outdated discriminatory laws."
"The policy proposal focuses on abolishing tax loopholes."
Pronounce as /əˈbɒl.ɪʃ.ɪŋ/ in US and UK accents, with primary stress on the second syllable: a-BOL-ish-ing. Start with a short schwa in the first syllable, then /ˈbɒl/ with a rounded back vowel, followed by /ɪʃ/ and a final /ɪŋ/. Keep the /l/ light and ensure the /ʒ/ is not blending with /l/. For Australian speech, the vowels are similar, but you may hear slightly more precise /ɒ/ and clearer final /ɪŋ/. Audio examples: [link to reference pronunciations].
Two frequent errors are stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., a-BO-lish-ing instead of a-bol-), and turning the middle /l/ into a dark, heavy /l/ or mispronouncing /ɒ/ as /ɔː/. Another issue is blending /lɪʃ/ too quickly, making it sound like /lɪʃˈɪŋ/ or /lɪʃɪŋ/ without the clear /ɪŋ/ ending. Correction tips: keep primary stress on the second syllable, articulate /ɒ/ in /bɒl/ with a rounded mouth, and end with a crisp /ɪŋ/ without adding an extra vowel.
In US English, /əˈbɑː.lɪʃ.ɪŋ/ may realise the first vowel as a relaxed /ə/ and the /ɑː/ in the stressed syllable; UK English tends toward /əˈbɒ.lɪʃ.ɪŋ/ with a shorter /ɒ/ and clearer /l/; Australian typically aligns with UK patterns but can feature a slightly raised and less rounded /ɒ/ and a less pronounced final /ɪŋ/. The final syllable is always /-ɪŋ/, but vowel qualities in the stressed vowel can shift subtly by dialect. IPA references help confirm the exact vowel height per accent.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic structure with three vowel sounds and a cluster /l/ followed by /ɪʃ/. The primary stress on the second syllable, plus the /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ in that position, requires precise mouth shaping. The consonant cluster /l/ followed by /ɪʃ/ can blur in rapid speech, causing slurred pronunciation or misplacing the stress. Practicing slow, clear enunciation helps; focus on the transition from /l/ to /ɪ/ and ensure the final /-ɪŋ/ is not devoiced.
A unique aspect is the vowel quality of the stressed ‘bol’ part and maintaining a clean separation between /l/ and /ɪ/. Some speakers produce a palatalized effect or turn /ɒ/ into a more open /ɒː/ depending on speed. Emphasize a distinct /ɒ/ in the stressed syllable and avoid turning /lɪ/ into a quick linking sound. Consistent practice with minimal pairs around /bɒl/ vs /bɒlɪ/ helps lock in the correct sequence.
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Abolish originates from Middle French abolir, from Latin abolitus, the past participle of abolere, meaning to destroy or annihilate. Ab is a prefix meaning away from, and bolish stems from a root meaning to blot out or obliterate. The term entered English via legal and political discourse in the 14th–16th centuries, evolving from meanings related to destroying or erasing, to the modern sense of formally ending a law, practice, or institution. The shift toward formal legal action as the object of abolition is evident in phrases like the abolition of slavery and the abolition of monarchic privileges. First known uses appear in medieval legal texts and later in the English Reformation-era vocabulary, gaining prominence during movements seeking to end entrenched systems of governance or social practice. Over time, abolish broadened from “destroy” to include the legal act of erasing a rule, statute, or custom, with modern uses spanning policy reform, administrative changes, and ideological shifts. The word’s semantic evolution reflects social progress, resistance, and the procedural nature of systemic change, often accompanied by debates about enforcement, transition, and moral dimensions of abolishing long-standing norms.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "abolishing" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "abolishing"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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