Vocabulary: S
32 words starting with S at the advanced level
Sabotage
To deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something), especially for political or military advantage.
Sagacious
Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd.
Sanction
(1) To give official permission or approval for (an action). (2) To impose a penalty on.
Sanguine
Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.
Sap
To gradually weaken or destroy (a person's strength or power).
Sapient
Wise, or attempting to appear wise.
Scarcity
The state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage.
Seclude
To keep (someone) away from other people.
Sequester
To isolate or hide away (someone or something).
Serendipity
The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Sham
A thing that is not what it is purported to be.
Shrewd
Having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute.
Shroud
To cover or envelop so as to conceal from view.
Skeptical
Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
Skittish
(Of an animal, especially a horse) excitable or easily scared.
Sly
Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature.
Sonorous
(Of a person's voice or other sound) imposingly deep and full.
Spendthrift
A person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way.
Stalwart
Loyal, reliable, and hardworking.
Stealthy
Behaving, done, or made in a cautious and surreptitious manner, so as not to be seen or heard.
Strident
Loud and harsh; grating.
Sturdy
(Of a person or their body) strongly and solidly built.
Stymie
To prevent or hinder the progress of.
Submissive
Ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive.
Substantiate
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of.
Subvert
To undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution).
Succumb
To fail to resist (pressure, temptation, or some other negative force).
Sullen
Bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy.
Sumptuous
Splendid and expensive-looking.
Surfeit
An excessive amount of something.
Surpass
To exceed; be greater than.
Surreptitious
Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.