5 syllables: Re, ta, li, a, tion. Stress on a.
ree-tal-ee-AY-shuhn
/ɹiˌtæliˈeɪʃən/
Retaliation is pronounced ree-tal-ee-AY-shuhn (/ɹiˌtæliˈeɪʃən/). It has five syllables (Re-ta-li-a-tion), with the stress on "a". Retaliation is the act of returning harm or injury for an earlier wrong. It often implies a deliberate response intended to mirror or escalate an offense, rather than seeking resolution. The term is commonly used in legal, political, and personal contexts to discuss cycles of harm and vengeance.
nounRetaliation is the act of returning harm or injury for an earlier wrong. It often implies a deliberate response intended to mirror or escalate an offense, rather than seeking resolution. The term is commonly used in legal, political, and personal contexts to discuss cycles of harm and vengeance.
"The country warned that any attack would be met with retaliation."
"She faced accusations and vowed retaliation, despite her protests."
"In the debate, he argued against retaliation and for constructive dialogue."
You pronounce it as /rɪˌtæl.iˈeɪ.ʃn̩/ in US/UK/AU. The primary stress falls on the third syllable: tal-? Actually the main stress is on the second-to-last syllable '-ei-': re-ta-li-a-tion with stress on the 'eɪ' portion: ri-TAL-i-A-tion, but the standard IPA provided is rɪˌtælɪˈeɪʃn̩. Break it as ri-TAL-i-AY-shn̩. Start with a short 'ri', then a stressed 'tal' (rhymes with 'pal'), then a light 'i', then a long 'ay' before the 'tion' ending: -ʃn̩. In practice, keep the 'ɪ' in the first syllable light, and ensure the 'eɪ' in the penultimate stressed syllable is clear. Audio reference: you can use Pronounce or Forvo to hear variations.
Common errors include dropping the second syllable vowel (ti- to -ly), misplacing stress on the wrong syllable (TA-lia-tion instead of re-ta-LI-a-tion), and flattening the -eɪ- into a quick short vowel. To correct: keep the strong secondary stress on the ‘li’ or the ‘eɪ’ portion depending on speaker; lengthen the /eɪ/ in the third major syllable and ensure the final -tion carries a light syllabic n: -ʃn̩. Practice the sequence: ri-TAL-i-AY-shn̩, with a crisp /ʃ/ before the syllabic /n̩/.
In US/UK/AU, the primary stress is on the /eɪ/ segment: ri-ta-LI-a-tion with a clear /eɪ/. The /r/ is rhotically pronounced in US and AU, while some UK varieties may be non-rhotic, affecting the preceding vowel color in certain phonetic environments. The /t/ tends to be aspirated; in fast speech, the /ɪ/ in the second syllable may reduce. Australians may have slightly broader vowels and a more clipped final -tion due to faster syllable timing. Listen for the duration and quality of the /eɪ/ and whether /ɹ/ is pronounced before vowels in rhotic accents.
Two main challenges: the sequence of syllables and the mid-stress on -li- is followed by a stressed -eɪ- before the -ʃn̩ ending. The 'ti' becomes a light /lɪ/ or /lɪ/ that may blur with the following /eɪ/. The final -tion reduces to a syllabic n, /ʃn̩/, which can be tricky for non-native speakers. Mastery requires isolating each part: ri- /rɪ/, ta- /tæl/, li- /lɪ/, a- /eɪ/, tion /ʃn̩/.
Retaliation has a fourth syllable with a clear diphthong /eɪ/ and a final syllabic consonant /n̩/. It also features a secondary stress often perceived on -li- or on -eɪ- depending on speaker, which differentiates it from words like 'retaliate' where the stress shifts. The subtle vowel transition from /lɪ/ to /eɪ/ can trip listeners who expect a smoother glide; focus on the discrete vowel sounds and the sharp -tion cluster /ʃn̩/ to achieve accuracy.
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US: rhotic /r/, broader /æ/ in /tæl/ and clearer /eɪ/; keep the /r/ before the first vowel but avoid linking to the next syllable. UK: non-rhotic tend to soften /r/; ensure inclusion of /r/ only before a vowel; /æ/ retained but the /t/ remains crisp; AU: rhotic like US but tends to have more rounded vowel quality and slightly prolonged vowels, especially the /eɪ/ diphthong. IPA references: /r/ /ɪ/ /tæl/ /ɪ/ /eɪ/ /ʃn̩/.
Retaliation comes from the French retaliation, from late Latin retaliatio, from Latin retaliare ‘to retaliate,’ formed from re- ‘back’ + talio ‘a blow, penalty’ (from talis ‘such’). The root talio appeared in Latin as a concept of responding in kind, often used in early legal contexts to describe proportional penalties. The semantic shift from a legal, formal response to a broader sense of revenge or counteraction broadened in the English language during the 16th to 19th centuries, aligning with military, political, and social contexts where responding to harm with harm became a familiar trope. The term entered standard English usage with references in written law and political discourse, crystallizing its modern meaning: a counteraction to injury or offense. First known uses appear in legal and philosophical texts discussing proportional justice, gradually expanding to everyday language indicate cycles of retaliation in interpersonal and international relations.
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Words that rhyme with "Retaliation"
-ion sounds
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