4 syllables: a, vo, li, tion. Stress on li.
av-uh-LISH-uhn
/ˌævəˈlɪʃən/
avolition is pronounced av-uh-LISH-uhn (/ˌævəˈlɪʃən/). It has four syllables (a-vo-li-tion), with the stress on "li". Avolition is a psychiatric term referring to a marked lack of motivation to initiate and persist in goal-directed activities, despite the required ability to do so. It denotes a deficit in goal-oriented behavior, not a temporary reluctance, and is often observed in conditions like schizophrenia or depression. The term typically appears in clinical, academic, and medical discussions.
Avolition is a psychiatric term referring to a marked lack of motivation to initiate and persist in goal-directed activities, despite the required ability to do so. It denotes a deficit in goal-oriented behavior, not a temporary reluctance, and is often observed in conditions like schizophrenia or depression. The term typically appears in clinical, academic, and medical discussions.
- You may default to a flat 'a' sound in the first syllable; ensure a clear /æ/ value. - The middle /lɪ/ can be merged with neighboring sounds; keep it distinct and lightly touched by the tongue. - The /ʃ/ before /ən/ often becomes a softer, slurred sound; aim for a crisp palatal /ʃ/ then a short /ən/., - Focus on syllable-timed rhythm: a-vo-LI-tion, not a-vo-litch-tion. - In connected speech, the final /ən/ can reduce to a reduced nasal; practice with a following word starting with a consonant to resist reduction.
"Her avolition prevented her from following through on daily tasks."
"The patient showed avolition, struggling to engage in conversations or activities."
"Treatment aimed to reduce avolition and improve motivation and daily functioning."
Pronounce as /ˌævəˈlɪʃən/. Stress falls on the second syllable: a-vo-LI-tion. The first syllable is a schwa-like or short /æ/ then a light “vo” blend, and the final syllable ends with a clear /ən/ (schwa + n). Tip: begin with /ˌæ/, move to /və/, then emphasize /ˈlɪ/ before a light /ʃən/ ending. You can listen for the middle /lɪ/ and the /ʃ/ before the final /ən/.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress (trying to stress the first syllable) and mispronouncing the middle /lɪ/ as /lə/ or collapsing /ʃən/ into /ən/. Another frequent error is blending the syllables too quickly, which hides the /ˈlɪ/ and /ʃən/. Corrective tips: clearly segment as a-vo-LI-tion, keep the /l/ light and the /ɪ/ short, and finish with a crisp /ʃən/ rather than a soft /ən/.
In US, UK, and AU, the core vowels are similar: /ˌævəˈlɪʃən/. Differences emerge in flapping and rhoticity: US speakers may have a subtle /ɚ/ in rapid speech if connected to a following vowel, though with this word it’s minimal. UK/AU tend to pronounce /æ/ with a more open-front vowel and maintain non-rhoticity, so /ˌævəˈlɪʃən/ is clear without r-coloring. Overall, the primary vowel sounds stay stable, but rhythm and vowel coloration can shift slightly by region.
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable pattern with a stress on the third syllable (/ˌævəˈlɪʃən/) and the consonant cluster /l/ followed by /ɪ/ and /ʃ/. Attacking the /ʃən/ ending crisply can be hard, and the unstressed first syllable can reduce to a quick /ə/ in casual speech, obscuring the intended pronunciation. Practice focusing on the middle /ˈlɪ/ and ending /ʃən/ separately before blending.
A unique aspect is the placement of stress on the third syllable and the relatively rare consonant cluster before the final vowel (/ˈlɪʃən/). You’ll often hear a slightly reduced first syllable and a crisp /ʃ/ before the final /ən/. Paying attention to the /l/ and the palatal /ʃ/ helps differentiate from similar words like 'evolution' where the /v/ and /l/ positions differ.
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- US: Slight rhoticity reduction; may sound like /ˌævəˈlɪʃən/ with a tiny r-colored cue only if followed by a vowel. - UK: Non-rhotic; keep the /r/ absent; brighter /æ/ and precise /ʃən/. - AU: Similar to UK with often more backness in vowels; maintain /æ/ and /ɪ/ clarity, and ensure the /ʃ/ is firm. - Highlight that vowel length is short in /æ/ and /ɪ/, and the /ə/ in the first syllable remains light. - IPA references support clear articulation: /ˌævəˈlɪʃən/ across dialects, with minor vowel shifts.
Avolition derives from the Latin prefix a- meaning without, and volition from Latin volī, to wish or will. The medical term emerged from early 20th-century psychiatry when clinicians categorized negative symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorders. The combining form '-tion' marks a noun. First documented usage in clinical texts appears in the mid-20th century as psychiatrists described deficits in willpower and initiative that are not simply laziness. Over time, avolition has become a standard term in DSM-related literature and neuropsychiatric research to distinguish a lack of motivation from voluntary inactivity due to fatigue or discomfort. The evolution reflects a refined understanding of motivation as a cognitive-emotional state that can be impaired independently of ability. Contemporary usage often involves assessment scales and therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing goal-directed behavior in affected individuals.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "avolition" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "avolition" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "avolition"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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