4 syllables: in, tol, er, ance. Stress on tol.
/ˌɪnˈtoʊlərəns/
Say it backIntolerance refers to an unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behaviors that differ from one’s own, often resulting in prejudice or discrimination. It denotes a state of rigid resistance to differing ideas or people, typically accompanied by limited tolerance and an adverse, dismissive attitude. The term can describe social, religious, cultural, or personal contexts in which deviation from the norm is not tolerated.
- You might under-emphasize the stressed syllable /tɒl/ and blurr it with the preceding /ɪn/, making it sound like in- tol- er-ance. Practice by isolating the stressed syllable: /ˈtɒl/ with a crisp /t/ and rounded vowel, then connect quickly to /ər/. - The sequence /ər.əns/ can be reduced to /rəns/; this loses the essential /ə/. Focus on inserting a soft schwa before the final /ns/ and keeping the /ər/ light but audible. - Final consonant cluster /ns/ can be swallowed in rapid speech; always end with a distinct /n/ and /s/; avoid a trailing, truncated /ns/ by practicing with word-initial and final consonant drills.
"Her intolerance toward other religions sparked national debate."
"The company faced backlash due to intolerance in the workplace."
"Educational programs aim to reduce intolerance by promoting inclusivity."
You say in-TOL-er-ance, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA US: /ˌɪnˈtɒl.ər.əns/. UK: /ˌɪnˈtɒl.ə.rən(t)s/. AU: /ˌɪnˈtɒl.ə.rəns/ depending on speaker. Start with /ɪ/ as in kit, move to /n/; the stressed /ˈtɒl/ has a dark, rounded vowel; follow with /ə/ (schwa) then /rəns/ or /r(ə)ns/. Keep the r light in non-rhotic varieties. For clarity, articulate the middle syllable /tɒl/ crisply to maintain the rhythm and avoid merging with the suffix.
Common errors: 1) Flattening the stress so the syllables sound even, which hides the natural emphasis on /ˈtɒl/; 2) Dropping the /t/ or mispronouncing /tɒl/ as /tol/ or /tɔl/; 3) Mispronouncing the suffix /ərəns/ as /əns/ or /rəns/ without the preceding schwa. Correction: emphasize the second syllable with a clear /tɒl/ and insert the /ə/ before the final /ns/, producing /ˌɪnˈtɒl.ə.rəns/ in US/UK; ensure the final /r/ is subtle in non-rhotic accents.
US tends to have /ˌɪnˈtɒl.ər.əns/ with a clear /ɒ/ in the stressed syllable and a prominent schwa in the third syllable. UK typically /ˌɪnˈtɒl.ə.rən(t)s/ with a non-rhotic /r/ and a shorter final vowel. Australian speech often links vowels more and may realize /ɒ/ closer to /ɒː/ with a drawn-out final /əns/ depending on speaker. The main differences lie in rhoticity (US rhotic, UK/AU non-rhotic) and vowel quality in the stressed syllable.
The challenge is the multisyllabic rhythm and the sequence /ɪnˈtɒl.ə.rəns/ where the /t/ must be crisp, the /ɒ/ is a back vowel that can shift to /ɔ/ in some accents, and the unstressed vowels /ə/ can reduce quickly. Balancing the syllables so the strong stress on /tɒl/ doesn’t bleed into the preceding /ɪn/ and the final /rəns/ is clearly heard requires careful tongue positioning and air flow. Listening to native models helps lock the rhythm.
No, there are no silent letters in intolerance. Every letter contributes to pronunciation: the initial /ɪ/ in /ˌɪn/ is heard, the /t/ is audible in /tɒl/, the /ɒ/ sound, the /ə/ (schwa) in the third syllable, and the final /ns/ is pronounced. The trick is not silent letters but ensuring each segment is delivered clearly with proper stress and vowel quality.
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- US: emphasize rhoticity; the /r/ is pronounced in all syllables where present, and the final /ns/ is clear. The stressed /tɒl/ should be sturdy with the tongue tip touching the alveolar ridge briefly. - UK: non-rhotic; the /r/ is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel; keep /tɒl.ə.rən(t)s/ smoother and a shorter final vowel; ensure non-rhotic /r/ is silent in coda position but may be vocalized in linked speech. - AU: generally non-rhotic; vowel quality can be broader, with /ɒ/ sometimes closer to /ɔ/; final /əns/ can be more compressed; practice linking between syllables for natural flow. IPA references: US /ˌɪnˈtɒl.ə.rəns/, UK /ˌɪnˈtɒl.ə.rən(t)s/, AU /ˌɪnˈtɒl.ə.rəns/. - General tip: keep the mouth relatively open on /ɒ/ and stretch the /t/ to avoid flapping in casual speech; after /tɒl/ transition quickly to /ə/ without tensing the jaw.
Intolerance derives from the late Middle English intolerance, from Latin intolerantia, from in- (not) + tolerantia (tolerance), from tolerare (to endure, tolerate). The root toler- originates in Latin for “to bear,” with the suffix -antia forming abstract nouns. The concept of tolerating difference expanded in philosophical and religious discourse during the 16th–18th centuries, paralleling debates on liberty of conscience and freedom of belief. By the 19th century, intolerance was used in sociopolitical contexts describing discriminatory attitudes toward minorities. Today, intolerance encompasses broad forms of rejection—religious, cultural, racial—often paired with social or institutional pressures that deny equal participation. The word’s first known uses appear in English legal and moral treatises addressing the bounds of belief and behavior, and gradually it broadened to describe any rigid opposition to difference, not limited to religious contexts. Across history, the term has been central to civil rights and human rights discussions, highlighting the tension between individual conviction and pluralistic coexistence. In contemporary usage, intolerance is framed as a negative trait that undermines social harmony, with emphasis on promoting inclusion and respect for diversity.
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