ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›S

ISEE & SSAT vocabulary words starting with S

137 words from the 1,500-word ISEE and SSAT deck, each with its meaning. Open a word for example sentences, synonyms and antonyms.

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• sacrifice noun — giving up something valuable for the sake of something else considered more important
• sacrilege noun — disrespectful violation of something considered sacred
• safeguard verb — to protect something from harm or loss
• sagacious adjective — having keen mental discernment; wise
• sage adjective — (adj) wise; (noun) a wise person
• salient adjective — most noticeable or important
• sample noun — a small part that shows what the whole is like
• sanctimonious adjective — making a hypocritical show of moral superiority
• sanction verb — to give official approval; or, conversely, to impose a penalty on (a contronym — both senses tested)
• sanctuary noun — a place of safety, refuge, or protection
• sanguine adjective — optimistic, especially in a difficult situation
• sardonic adjective — grimly mocking or scornfully humorous
• satiate verb — to satisfy an appetite or desire completely
• savory adjective — having a salty or spicy flavor instead of a sweet one
• scamper verb — to run with quick, light steps
• scant adjective — barely sufficient or falling short of a full amount
• scarce adjective — insufficient for the demand, or rarely found
• schedule noun — a plan showing when activities will happen
• scoff verb — to speak as though something is foolish or unworthy
• scold verb — to speak angrily to someone about their behavior
• scourge noun — a source of widespread suffering or destruction
• scramble verb — to move quickly using both hands and feet
• scribble verb — to write or draw quickly and carelessly
• scrupulous adjective — diligent, thorough, and morally careful
• scrutinize verb — to examine closely and critically
• scurrilous adjective — making grossly insulting or false attacks on someone's reputation
• scurry verb — to move quickly with short, hurried steps
• secluded adjective — quiet and far away from other people or places
• sedate adjective — calm, dignified, and unhurried
• selfish adjective — caring mainly about your own wants instead of others
• sense noun — the ability to perceive or feel something through the body or mind
• sensible adjective — showing practical and sound judgment
• sententious adjective — given to pompous, moralizing statements
• sentimental adjective — relating to or influenced by feelings of tenderness, nostalgia, or emotion rather than reason
• septet noun — a group or musical composition consisting of seven members
• sequence noun — a set of things arranged in a particular order
• sequester verb — to isolate someone or confiscate something
• serene adjective — calm and untroubled
• servile adjective — excessively submissive or eager to please
• sever verb — to cut off or separate something completely
• shabby adjective — worn, faded, and in poor condition
• shrewd adjective — showing sharp judgment
• shuffle verb — to walk while barely lifting the feet
• silhouette noun — the dark outline of someone or something against a lighter background
• simulate verb — to imitate or reproduce the conditions of something, often for practice or study
• simultaneous adjective — happening at the same time
• sinuous adjective — having many smooth curves or bends
• sizable adjective — fairly large in size or amount
• skeptical adjective — doubtful; not easily convinced
• sketch verb — to make a quick, simple drawing
• skid verb — to lose traction and slide along a surface
• skillful adjective — good at doing something that requires practice
• skittish adjective — easily frightened or made nervous
• slender adjective — narrow and thin
• slight adjective — small in amount or degree
• sly adjective — clever in a secretive or deceptive way
• soar verb — to fly or rise high in the air
• sociable adjective — enjoying time and conversation with other people
• soggy adjective — soaked with water and unpleasantly soft
• solemn adjective — deeply serious or formal in manner
• solicitous adjective — showing attentive concern for another person's needs
• solitary adjective — existing or done alone, without others
• solution noun — an answer to a question or problem
• somber adjective — dark and gloomy; serious
• soporific adjective — tending to induce sleep
• spacious adjective — having plenty of room inside
• sparse adjective — thinly scattered or not plentiful
• specify verb — to state something clearly and exactly
• specious adjective — seeming convincing but actually false or misleading
• speckled adjective — marked with many small spots
• spectacle noun — a visually striking public display or event
• spectator noun — a person who watches an event without participating
• spectrum noun — a broad range of related qualities, ideas, or values
• speculative adjective — based on conjecture rather than established facts
• spontaneous adjective — done or occurring without planning, on impulse
• spotless adjective — completely clean and free of marks
• sprint verb — to run at full speed for a short distance
• spurious adjective — not what it appears to be; false
• spurn verb — to reject with contempt or disdain
• squalid adjective — filthy and miserable from neglect or poverty
• squander verb — to waste money, time, or resources carelessly
• squelch verb — to suppress or stop something abruptly
• stagger verb — to walk unsteadily as if about to fall
• stagnate verb — to stop developing, growing, or moving
• stale adjective — no longer fresh
• stalwart adjective — firmly loyal, dependable, and resolute
• stammer verb — to speak with repeated sounds or sudden pauses
• stark adjective — harsh, bare, or severely plain in appearance
• startle verb — to surprise someone suddenly
• startled adjective — suddenly surprised or alarmed
• steadfast adjective — firm, loyal, and not easily changed
• stealthy adjective — acting in a quiet, secretive, and unnoticed manner
• stereotype noun — an oversimplified and widely held belief about a group of people
• stern adjective — serious and strict in manner
• stifle verb — to suppress or hold back a feeling, sound, or action
• stipulation noun — a specific condition required as part of an agreement
• stoic adjective — showing little feeling, especially in pain or trouble
• strategy noun — a plan of action designed to achieve a goal
• stratum noun — a distinct layer within a larger structure or system
• stride verb — to walk with long, confident steps
• stringent adjective — strict and precisely enforced
• stroll verb — to walk slowly and casually
• stubborn adjective — unwilling to change one's mind or behavior
• stumble verb — to trip or nearly fall while moving
• stupefy verb — to make someone unable to think clearly through shock or amazement
• stupor noun — a state of near unconsciousness or severely dulled awareness
• sturdy adjective — strong and not easily damaged or weakened
• subdue verb — to bring under control by force or persuasion
• sublime adjective — of great excellence; awe-inspiring
• submit verb — to give in to the authority or control of someone else
• subscribe verb — to arrange to receive something regularly, or to agree with a view in writing
• subsequent adjective — coming after something else
• substantial adjective — large, important, or enough to matter
• substantiate verb — to provide evidence to support or prove something
• subterfuge noun — a deceptive scheme used to conceal a true purpose
• subtle adjective — not obvious; delicate or difficult to notice
• subvert verb — to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority
• succinct adjective — expressed clearly in few words
• succumb verb — to stop resisting and yield to force, pressure, or illness
• sudden adjective — happening quickly and without warning
• sufficient adjective — enough for a need or purpose
• sullen adjective — silently resentful or gloomy in mood
• summarize verb — to state the main points briefly
• superficial adjective — concerned only with what is on the surface, not deep or thorough
• superfluous adjective — more than is needed; unnecessary
• supervise verb — to watch over an activity and make sure it is done properly
• supple adjective — bending or moving easily without stiffness
• surmise verb — to guess or suppose something based on incomplete information
• surreptitious adjective — kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of
• survive verb — to continue living or existing, especially through hardship or danger
• sweltering adjective — uncomfortably hot
• swerve verb — to turn suddenly away from a straight path
• symbiosis noun — a close, long-term relationship between two different organisms that benefits at least one of them
• sympathy noun — a feeling of care or sorrow for someone else's misfortune
• synchronous adjective — occurring or operating at the same time
• synopsis noun — a brief summary of the main points of a work or event
• synthetic adjective — made artificially rather than occurring naturally

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