5 syllables: A, bom, i, na, tion. Stress on na.
uh-bah-muh-NAY-shuhn
/əˌbɑməˈneɪʃən/
Abomination is pronounced uh-bah-muh-NAY-shuhn (/əˌbɑməˈneɪʃən/). It has five syllables (A-bom-i-na-tion), with the stress on "na". Abomination is a noun describing something that is shockingly bad or revolting, often arousing strong moral outrage. It carries a formal, sometimes biblical tone, implying a profound degree of moral disgust or repugnance. The word can also refer to a person or thing regarded with strong abhorrence or detestation beyond ordinary dislike.
nounAbomination is a noun describing something that is shockingly bad or revolting, often arousing strong moral outrage. It carries a formal, sometimes biblical tone, implying a profound degree of moral disgust or repugnance. The word can also refer to a person or thing regarded with strong abhorrence or detestation beyond ordinary dislike.
- You-focused note: You may flatten the /æ/ or reduce the middle syllables, saying “abominashun” or “abomnation.” - Risk: false epenthesis or inserting an extra syllable between /ˈmeɪ/ and /ni/; correction: keep /ˈmeɪ.ni/ as two strong but fast syllables. - Consonant blending: avoid overly aspirated /b/ or an oversimplified /t/-like finish; aim for a clean /ˈmeɪ.niˌeɪʃən/ with a soft /ʃ/ before /ən/. - Intonation: avoid flat delivery; emphasize the fourth syllable with a slight rise-fall to signal emphasis. - Practice tip: speak in slow cadence, then gradually increase speed while maintaining segment boundaries.
"The dictator's crimes were an abomination in the eyes of the international community."
"Many critics called the policy an abomination, unfit for a civilized society."
"The living conditions in the camp were an abomination that shocked every visitor."
Pronounce as /ˌæbəˈmeɪniˌeɪʃən/ in US, /ˌæbəˈmeɪniˌeɪʃən/ in UK, with a non-rhotic AU variant similar to /ˌæbəˈmeɪniˌeɪʃən/. Stress pattern: secondary stress on the first syllable, primary stress on the fourth syllable before the -tion: a-BOM-i-NA-tion where the core focus lands on ‘NA’ (neɪ). Anchor sounds: “ab” /æb/ as in cat, “o” as schwa, “mā” as /meɪ/, “ni” as /ni/, final “ation” as /eɪʃən/. See audio examples from Pronounce or Forvo for natural cadence.
Common mistakes: 1) Misplacing secondary stress on the first syllable instead of the fourth; 2) Reducing the middle syllables too much, making it sound like ‘abomination.’ 3) Mispronouncing /meɪ/ as a quick /mɪ/ or /mi/. Correction: keep /ˌæbə/ as a light, unstressed lead-in, then clearly hit /ˈmeɪ/ then /niˌeɪʃən/ with a gentle glide into the final /ən/.
In US English, you hear /ˌæbəˈmeɪniˌeɪʃən/ with a clear /æ/ in the first syllable and rhoticity influencing the final /r/ presence if any; UK often shows /ˌæbəˈmeɪniəˈʃən/ with less pronounced schwa in certain unstressed vowels and a crisper /tʃ/? Wait: final is /ʃən/ as in ‘ation’; AU shares non-rhotic tendencies, slightly longer vowels and a softer /ɪ/ in the middle. The core vowels remain /æ/ and /eɪ/ across accents, but vowel length, reduced vowels, and syllable timing shift subtly.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic structure and the /eɪ/ sequence in /meɪ/ and /eɪʃən/. Many learners misplace primary stress on the wrong syllable and blur the /b/-to-/ə/ transition. Also, the /ˌæbə/ onset requires a light, clipped start, followed by a longer /ˈmeɪn/ segment before /iʃən/. Practice with slow syllable-by-syllable articulation helps stabilize rhythm and reduces phonemic blend errors.
A distinctive feature is the secondary stress on the first syllable and the strong diphthong /eɪ/ in the penultimate stressed syllable before -tion. The ending -tion typically yields /ʃən/ or /ən/ depending on dialect and speed. Visualizing the pattern: a-BOM-i-NA-tion with clear separation between the ‘bom’ and ‘i-’ clusters helps maintain accuracy, especially in connected speech.
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- US: typical rhotic /ɹ/ if present in connected speech; focus on the /æ/ vowel and the /eɪ/ diphthong; ensure the /ʃən/ at the end is smooth, not clipped. - UK: slightly crisper /ˈæb.əˌmeɪ.niː.əˈʃən/ with a lighter /ə/ in unstressed positions; reduced vowels in non-stressed syllables; non-rhotic. - AU: non-rhotic with broader vowel shapes, softer /ə/ in second syllable; keep /eɪ/ strong; final /ʃən/ tends to be more compressed. IPA references: US /ˌæbəˈmeɪniˌeɪʃən/, UK /ˌæbəˈmeɪniəˈʃən/, AU /ˌæbəˈmeɪniˌeɪʃən/.
Abomination derives from the Middle English abominacioun, borrowed from Old French abomination, which itself comes from the Latin abominatio, meaning ‘a detestable thing, loathing.’ The Latin term blends ab- ‘away, from’ with omen (from omen, a sign) in a sense of turning away from a sign of divine disfavor. The root word omen, associated with foretelling, became tied to moral repugnance as Christianity spread, reinforcing the idea of an abhorrent, unsanctioned thing. In English, the term coalesced into a strong noun by the 14th century and has retained its formal, sometimes hyperbolic connotation ever since. Over time, ‘abomination’ has broadened beyond religious contexts to describe anything overwhelmingly unacceptable, grotesque, or morally offensive, while still preserving its weighty, almost ceremonial register in modern usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Abomination"
-ion sounds
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