This page contains words that begin with “S” to words that begin with “Z”. The list is part of a project entitled, Say it better.
salacious – adj. having or conveying undue or indecent interest in sexual matters
sardonic – adj. grimly mocking or cynical
scoff – v. speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way
scurrilous – adj. making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation; humorously insulting
sepulcher – n. a burial vault; a receptacle for sacred relics, especially in an altar
shambolic – adj. chaotic, disorganized, mismanaged
slovenly – adj. (especially of a person or their appearance) messy and dirty; (especially of a person or action) careless; excessively casual
spurious – adj. not being what it purports to be; false or fake; (of a line of reasoning) apparently but not actually valid
staid – adj. sedate, respectable, and unadventurous
stellar – adj. relating to a star or stars; (informal) featuring or having the quality of a star performer or performers
stilted – adj. (of a manner of talking or writing) stiff and self-conscious or unnatural
stolid – adj. calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation
strawman – n. 1. an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent’s real argument. 2. a person regarded as having no substance or integrity
strident – adj. loud and harsh; grating; presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively forceful way
supine – adj. (of a person) lying face upwards; failing to act or protest as a result of moral weakness or indolence
surmise – v. suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it
svelte – adj. (of a person) slender and elegant
sycophant – n. a person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage
tacit – adj. understood or implied without being stated
taciturn – adj. (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little
tawdry – adj. showy but cheap and of poor quality
tempestuous – adj. characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion; very stormy
tenacity/tenacious – n. 1. the quality or fact of being very determined; determination 2. the quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence | adj. 1. tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely 2. not readily relinquishing a position, principle, or course of action; determined 3. persisting in existence; not easily dispelled
tendentious – adj. expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one
terse – adj. sparing in the use of words; abrupt
torpor – n. state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy
translucent – adj. (of a substance) allowing light, but not detailed shapes, to pass through; semi-transparent
truculent – adj. eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant
unctuous – adj. excessively flattering or ingratiating; oily
unremitting – adj. never relaxing or slackening; incessant
vicissitude – n. a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant
visceral – adj. relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect
vitriol – n. cruel and bitter criticism
vociferous – adj. expressing or characterized by vehement opinions
voluble – adj. (of a person) talking fluently, readily, or incessantly
wanton – adj. (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked
wistful – adj. having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing
zenith – n. the time at which something is most powerful or successful
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