GRE Words Starting with S (194 words)

spendthrift

a person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way.

The word 'spendthrift' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

scrupulous

(of a person or process) careful, thorough, and extremely attentive to details.

She was always scrupulous about her work.

sporadic

occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated.

sporadic protests

stigmatize

describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.

Society stigmatizes welfare recipients.

specious

superficially plausible, but actually wrong.

This idea that we must see through what we have started is specious, however good it may sound.

spurious

not being what it purports to be; false or fake.

His argument was spurious and had no validity.

subjective

based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.

The word 'subjective' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

subvert

undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution).

They conspired to subvert the government.

salubrious

Promoting health or well-being; wholesome, especially as related to air.

salubrious habits

sanction

An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.

The word 'sanction' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

sedulous

(of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence.

sedulous craftsmanship

soporific

tending to induce drowsiness or sleep.

The word 'soporific' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

stern

(of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline.

The word 'stern' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

sagacious

having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement; wise or shrewd.

sagacious judge of character

sanguine

optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.

The word 'sanguine' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

scant

barely sufficient or adequate.

The word 'scant' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

skullduggery

underhand, unscrupulous, or dishonest behaviour or activities.

The word 'skullduggery' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

salutary

(especially with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial.

salutary influences

sever

To cut free.

He severed the lowest tree limbs.

slight

The act of slighting; a deliberate act of neglect or discourtesy.

The word 'slight' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

somnolent

sleepy; drowsy.

a somnolent sermon

stoic

Proponent of stoicism, a school of thought, from in 300 B.C.E. up to about the time of Marcus Aurelius, who holds that by cultivating an understanding of the logos, or natural law, one can be free of suffering.

The word 'stoic' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

supersede

take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); supplant.

This edition supersedes the previous one.

satirical

sarcastic, critical, and mocking another's weaknesses.

The word 'satirical' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

sham

falsely present something as the truth.

The word 'sham' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

skirt

An article of clothing, usually worn by women and girls, that hangs from the waist and covers the lower part of the body.

The word 'skirt' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

sluggish

Habitually idle and lazy; slothful; dull; inactive

Inflation has been rising despite sluggish economy.

spartan

showing or characterized by austerity or a lack of comfort or luxury.

The word 'spartan' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

scathing

witheringly scornful; severely critical.

a scathing condemnation

subtle

Hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.

The difference is subtle, but you can hear it if you listen carefully.

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