Vocabulary Flashcards - S Words

(Especially of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with (The teacher's daily routine was sacrosanct and not to be disrupted.)

The quality of being sagacious; having keen mental discernment and good judgment (The leader's sagacity was evident in her wise decisions.)

Most noticeable or important (The speaker highlighted the most salient points of the discussion.)

Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation (Despite the challenges, she remained sanguine about the future.)

Grimly mocking or cynical (His sardonic smile indicated that he was not taking the situation seriously.)

Sparkling or shining brightly; brilliantly and excitingly clever or skillful (The author's scintillating wit made the novel a joy to read.)

(Of a person or process) diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details (The accountant was scrupulous in her work, ensuring that every number was correct.)

Making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation (The politician's scurrilous attack on his opponent backfired.)

(Of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive (Her sedentary lifestyle led to health problems.)

Conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch (The leader was arrested for sedition after calling for a revolution.)

The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way (Finding the hidden treasure was pure serendipity.)

Having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others (The servant's servile behavior annoyed his master.)

Characterized by or showing interest or concern (The nurse was solicitous about the patient's well-being.)

The view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist (The philosopher's solipsism led him to question the reality of everything around him.)

Sleepy; drowsy (The warm room and soft music made the students somnolent.)

Not being what it purports to be; false or fake (The spurious document was exposed as a forgery.)

Sedate, respectable, and unadventurous (The lawyer's staid demeanor made him seem unapproachable.)

(Of a person) calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation (The stolid security guard remained unfazed by the chaos around him.)

Loud and harsh; grating (The strident tone of her voice made the conversation uncomfortable.)

To prevent or hinder the progress of (The team's efforts to improve the project were stymied by a lack of funding.)

To bring under domination or control, especially by conquest (The conquerors subjugated the native population.)

Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe (The view from the mountaintop was absolutely sublime.)

Seeking or intended to subvert an established system or institution (The subversive literature was banned by the government.)

(Especially of something written or spoken) briefly and clearly expressed (Her succinct explanation made the complex topic easy to understand.)

Of various kinds; several (The store sells a variety of sundry items, from groceries to electronics.)

Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others (The supercilious waiter looked down on the customers.)

Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of (They carried out a surreptitious plan to overthrow the leader.)

(Of skin color, complexion, etc.) dark (The pirate had a swarthy complexion and a menacing grin.)

A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage (The sycophant constantly flattered his boss in hopes of getting a promotion.)