5 syllables: In, ter, ro, ga, tion. Stress on ga.
in-ter-uh-GAY-shuhn
/ˌɪˌntɛɹəˈɡeɪʃən/
Interrogation is pronounced in-ter-uh-GAY-shuhn (/ˌɪˌntɛɹəˈɡeɪʃən/). It has five syllables (In-ter-ro-ga-tion), with the stress on "ga". Interrogation is the act of questioning someone formally or thoroughly to uncover information or elicit evidence. It often implies a careful, methodical process, typically conducted by investigators or authorities. The term can also refer to a formal questioning in a legal or investigative setting, sometimes involving strategies to obtain admissions or statements.
nounInterrogation is the act of questioning someone formally or thoroughly to uncover information or elicit evidence. It often implies a careful, methodical process, typically conducted by investigators or authorities. The term can also refer to a formal questioning in a legal or investigative setting, sometimes involving strategies to obtain admissions or statements.
How to Pronounce Interrogation
"The detective conducted a tense interrogation of the suspect."
"During the interrogation, she remained calm and cooperative."
"The boss's interrogation of the project's budget revealed several inconsistencies."
You say in-TER-uh-GAY-shun with four syllables, primary stress on the third syllable. IPA: US: ɪnˌtɛr.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən, UK: ɪnˌter.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən, AU: ˌɪn.təˌrɔːˈɡeɪ.ʃən. Focus on the /ɡeɪ/ sequence before the final /ʃən/. A quick audio cue: the 'rog' becomes 'rog-' with a clear 'g' before the 'ay' diphthong.
Common errors include misplacing stress, turning the /t/ into a flap, or misrendering the /ɡeɪ/ as a hard 'gee' without the 'ay' glide. Some speakers bite off the syllables too early, producing in-TER-og-ATION or in-ter-RAH-gi-tion. Correct by stressing the /ˈɡeɪ/ sequence and keeping /t/ as a crisp stop before the /ə/ in the second syllable.
In US English, you’ll hear a clearer /g/ and a pronounced /ɪ/ in the first syllable, with /ˌɪn.tə.rə/ style reduction in rapid speech. UK English tends to use a crisper /t/ and less rhotic r influence in the second syllable, with a stronger non-rhotic ending; AU may feature a slightly wider vowel in the first syllable and a flatter intonation. Overall, the /ɡeɪ/ remains a marked diphthong across accents.
The difficulty comes from the multi-syllabic structure and the central /ˈtɛr.ə/ vs /ˈtɛr.ə/ sequence, plus the /ɡeɪ/ diphthong preceding the final /ʃən/. Keeping the sequence steady—unstressed syllables quick, stressed syllable clear—helps. Another challenge is avoiding a misplaced /ɹ/ or turning /t/ into a d-like sound in rapid speech.
Interrogation carries four syllables with the primary stress on the third: in-ter-ROG-ation. There is no silent letter; however, the second syllable 'ter' often reduces to a schwa in fast speech (in-ˈtər-ə-). The notable feature is the strong diphthong in the /eɪ/ of the /ˈɡeɪ/ segment and the rhythm created by the 'tion' ending.
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Interrogation derives from the Latin interrogatio, from interrogare meaning to ask, question, or inquire. The prefix inter- means 'between' or 'among,' and rogare means 'to ask.' The form passed through Late Latin into English, with the sense gradually refining from broad 'asking' to the more formal, coercive or thorough questioning implied in legal, police, or investigative contexts. The English noun interrogation appears in the 15th century, originally signifying the act of asking questions in order to ascertain facts. Over time, the word accrued legal and investigative nuance, emphasizing structured, strategic questioning designed to elicit reliable information. The concept of interrogation is closely tied to methods and protocols—an orderly sequence of questions, sometimes including cross-examination or sustained inquiry—often contrasted with more casual interviewing. The word remains prevalent in law enforcement, intelligence, and legal arenas, where careful wording, timing, and psychological considerations influence the interrogation process. First known usage in English traces to Middle English adaptations of Latin terms in scholarship and legal texts, with the modern, formal sense stabilizing in the 18th–19th centuries as modern investigative practices emerged.
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Words that rhyme with "Interrogation"
-ion sounds
-me) sounds
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