soo-pur-STISH-uhnz
/ˌsupɚˈstɪʃənz/
superstitions is pronounced soo-pur-STISH-uhnz (/ˌsupɚˈstɪʃənz/). Superstitions are beliefs or practices that arise from a perceived link between specific actions, events, or objects and outcomes, often lacking scientific grounding. They reflect cultural traditions and cognitive biases, guiding behavior through rituals or symbolic meanings. At expert level, they reveal how shared myths shape decision making and social norms, even in modern contexts.
Superstitions are beliefs or practices that arise from a perceived link between specific actions, events, or objects and outcomes, often lacking scientific grounding. They reflect cultural traditions and cognitive biases, guiding behavior through rituals or symbolic meanings. At expert level, they reveal how shared myths shape decision making and social norms, even in modern contexts.
- You may stress the wrong syllable (placing emphasis on the first or second syllable instead of the third). Focus on the stressed /ˈstɪ/ and keep a stable rhythm across all syllables. - The /st/ cluster before the /ɪ/ can be swallowed; ensure a distinct /st/ release before /ɪ/. - The ending /-tions/ often reduces to /ʃənz/; practice preserving the /ɪ/ and the /z/ sound, not a silent ending. - Final vowel reduction: avoid turning /ənz/ into /ən/ or /ənz/ with reduced quality; keep a crisp /ənz/.
"• Some researchers study how superstitions influence decision making in high-stakes situations."
"• The team dismissed the superstition about Friday the 13th as unfounded, focusing on data instead."
"• In many cultures, wearing certain charms or colors is a common superstition believed to bring luck."
You pronounce it as /ˌsuː.pəˈstɪ.ʃənz/ in US and UK accents, with primary stress on the third syllable “stɪ.” Start with a long 'oo' in 'soo', then a light schwa in the second syllable, and a stressed 'stɪ' before the 'ʃənz' ending. Keep the final /z/ crisp. Audio reference: you can compare with Forvo or pronunciation resources using the IPA as a guide, and practice by chunking as 'soo-puh-STIH-shuhnz' with correct rhythm.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (placing primary stress on the second or last syllable), mispronouncing /stɪ/ as /stɪt/ or de-emphasizing the /ʃ/ before -ənz. Another mistake is blending the /tɪ/ into a quicker /tɪ ʃən/ so the /ə/ becomes a reduced vowel, and producing a voiced final /z/ instead of a clear /z/. Correct by practicing the three-chunk rhythm: 'soo-puh-STIH-shuhnz' with a deliberate /stɪ/ and a crisp /z/.
In US and UK, the primary stress remains on the third syllable, with a clear /ˈstɪ/ and a final /ənz/. American rhotics may influence the onset of 'su-' and a slightly more pronounced /ɚ/ in the second syllable due to rhoticity; Australian speech tends to be non-rhotic like UK but with a broader vowel in /uː/ and a more centralized second syllable /ə/. The /z/ at the end remains voiced. Practice with IPA: US /ˌsuː.pəˈstɪ.ʃənz/, UK /ˌsjuː.pəˈstɪ.ʃənz/, AU /ˌsuː.pəˈstɪ.ʃənz/.
Two main challenges: first, the consonant cluster /stʃ/ sequence in /stɪ.ʃ/ can cause a light or overly merged articulation, so you need a clear stop before /ʃ/. Second, the suffix -tions (/ʃənz/) creates a subtle reduction in the middle vowels; keep the /ɪ/ as a crisp, short vowel and avoid swallowing it in casual speech. Focus on the syllable boundary before 'tions' and keep /z/ distinct at the end.
A unique feature is the sequence 'sti' in the stressed syllable, where the 'ti' is pronounced as /tɪ/ rather than a t + y-like sound; the 's' at the start also has a heavy onset after the 'u' vowel. Practitioners should train accurate syllable division: su-per-STI-tions, with emphasis on the 'STI' cluster and a clearly enunciated 'sh' before '-ons'.
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US: R-like influence in the initial 'su-' can cause a slightly rounded /uː/ and a more pronounced /ɚ/ in rapid speech; UK: more clipped vowels, non-rhotic; AU: tends to maintain rounded vowel with less vowel reduction and a slightly broader intonation. Vowel notes: /uː/ in 'soo' should be tight and long; /ə/ in the second syllable should be a true schwa; /ɪ/ in the stressed syllable must be short and clear; final /ənz/ should have a light, voiced /z/. IPA cues: US /ˌsuː.pəˈstɪ.ʃənz/, UK /ˌsjuː.pəˈstɪ.ʃənz/, AU /ˌsuː.pəˈstɪ.ʃənz/.
The term superstition derives from Latin superstitio, formed from super- ‘over, above’ + stemming from tenere ‘to hold’ through an older sense ‘to stand over' that implied an overbearing religious omen. In Latin, superstitio referred to excessive fear of the gods or an overbearing religious scruple, and by the late Middle Ages entered English via Old French, reinforcing a sense of “excessive credulity” or “irrational fear.” During the Renaissance and Enlightenment, scholars began distinguishing religion from superstition, often criticizing the latter as a misapplied ritual or fear-based practice. In modern usage, superstition has broadened to encompass any belief or ritual lacking empirical support that is nonetheless treated as causal in daily life. First known English uses appear in texts exploring folk belief and ritual, with evidence toward the 14th–15th centuries and more broadly attested in 16th–18th century dictionaries that cataloged popular credulities in everyday life. Today, superstitions span cultures, varying in form from object-based charms to ritualized actions, yet sharing a common function: offering symbolic explanations and perceived control in uncertain circumstances.
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Words that rhyme with "superstitions"
-ons sounds
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