hizbollah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Journalistic, Political
Quick answer
What does “hizbollah” mean?
A Shia Islamist political and militant organisation based in Lebanon.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Shia Islamist political and militant organisation based in Lebanon.
The group, which also functions as a political party and social service provider, emerged in the early 1980s and is considered a major force in Lebanese and regional politics. It is designated as a terrorist organisation by many Western governments.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major usage differences. Both 'Hizbollah' and 'Hezbollah' spellings are found in both varieties.
Connotations
Both in UK and US media, connotations are heavily shaped by editorial stance, generally negative in mainstream Western press due to the group's military activities and proscribed status.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American media due to greater focus on Middle Eastern geopolitics and counter-terrorism discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “hizbollah” in a Sentence
[Country] designated Hizbollah as a terrorist organisation.Hizbollah launched [rockets/attacks] against [target].Hizbollah is allied with [country/group].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hizbollah” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Hizbollah-led coalition won seats.
- Hizbollah operatives were reportedly detained.
American English
- The Hezbollah-backed candidate withdrew.
- Hezbollah-linked financing was investigated.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in risk analysis reports (e.g., 'operational risks in Hizbollah-controlled areas').
Academic
Common in political science, international relations, Middle Eastern studies, and security studies texts.
Everyday
Very rare, except in discussions of world news.
Technical
Used in military, intelligence, and geopolitical analysis contexts with precise reference to the group's structure and capabilities.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hizbollah”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hizbollah”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hizbollah”
- Misspelling as 'Hisbollah', 'Hizbullah', or 'Hezbullah'. While 'Hezbollah' is standard, 'Hizbollah' is an accepted variant.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a hizbollah' is incorrect).
- Pronouncing the 'z' as /z/ in the American variant where it is often /z/ or /s/; the common American pronunciation uses /z/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an Arabic transliteration meaning 'Party of God'.
Yes, they are different transliterations of the same Arabic name. 'Hezbollah' is the more common spelling in English.
Yes, attributively (e.g., Hizbollah fighters, Hizbollah ideology), but it is not a predicative adjective.
Due to its role in regional conflicts, its designation as a terrorist organisation by several states, and its significant influence in Lebanese politics.
A Shia Islamist political and militant organisation based in Lebanon.
Hizbollah is usually formal, journalistic, political in register.
Hizbollah: in British English it is pronounced /hɪzˈbɒlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɛzbəˈlɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'His-BOLL-ah' – a political 'ball' game in the Middle East that is very serious.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ORGANISATION IS A FORCE (e.g., 'a formidable force', 'a regional force'). AN ORGANISATION IS A PLAYER (e.g., 'a key player in Lebanese politics').
Practice
Quiz
In which country is Hizbollah primarily based?