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Sometimes the stars align, and you’re serendipitous enough to know a letter as sensational as “S.” It’s one of the most steadfast letters in the alphabet, working its way into so many words and starting off so many more. That includes a stellar array of adjectives to help you describe every person, place, and object in your life.
Staying positive isn’t always as simple as it sounds, but building a vocabulary of positive “S” adjectives can help you develop a singular attitude that tends toward positivity. You also get all the sumptuous words to describe your selfless family, stylish friends, and scintillating conversations.
Adjective | Definition | Synonyms |
sacred | worthy of respect | holy, venerable, revered |
sacrosanct | most holy | untouchable, hallowed, inviolate |
sage | having wisdom | philosophical, intelligent, learned |
salient | standing out from the rest | principal, noticeable, obvious |
salubrious | favorable to health | wholesome, pleasant, beneficial |
sanative | restoring health | curative, healing, invigorating |
sartorial | well-dressed | elegant, flashy, stylish |
scintillating | fascinatingly clever and witty | dazzling, brilliant, exciting |
selfless | benefiting others rather than yourself | altruistic, unselfish, magnanimous |
sensational | exceptionally good | astonishing, interesting, amazing |
serendipitous | having good fortune | lucky, favorable, fortuitous |
serene | perfectly calm and pleasant | composed, easygoing, peaceful |
sharp | very smart and exact | keen, perceptive, attentive |
sinewy | muscular and firm | powerful, athletic, brawny |
singular | exceptional, better than others | remarkable, outstanding, noteworthy |
sophisticated | having worldly knowledge | cosmopolitan, cultured, refined |
spiritual | connected to one’s soul | divine, incorporeal, religious |
spirited | lively, full of energy | energetic, enthusiastic, vivacious |
splendid | worthy of high praise | illustrious, grand, glorious |
stately | grand and dignified in manner | regal, unhurried, majestic |
steadfast | unwavering in position or support | loyal, devoted, reliable |
stellar | exceptional and amazing | outstanding, excellent, noteworthy |
stimulating | capturing interest, bringing to action | interesting, exciting, energizing |
striking | makes a notable impression | arresting, visible, distinctive |
stunning | impressively attractive | gorgeous, extraordinary, spectacular |
stylish | current in dress and manner | elegant, modish, chic |
sublime | awe-inspiring excellence | exalted, majestic, glorious |
sumptuous | expensively magnificent | luxurious, resplendent, lavish |
Of course, staying too positive all the time can come off as saccharine and insincere. Sometimes, you do just need some negative adjectives that start with “S” to describe your slanderous enemies, spineless cowards, and spoiled brats.
Adjective | Definition | Synonyms |
saccharine | artificially sweet | mawkish, cloying, lachrymose |
sanctimonious | acting better than everyone | unctuous, moralizing, holier-than-thou |
sappy | too sentimental | corny, hokey, mushy |
savage | attacking with cruelty or violence | brutal, fierce, pitiless |
scandalous | morally indecent | offensive, dishonorable, unseemly |
scary | causing fear | frightening, alarming, appalling |
scathing | harsh and critical | injurious, caustic, acerbic |
scornful | having contempt for others | derisive, disparaging, mocking |
scummy | dirty and unpleasant | vile, hateful, disgusting |
seedy | not well-regarded | corrupt, unsavory, rough |
self-absorbed | ignoring others for the sake of yourself | egocentric, pompous, narcissistic |
self-aggrandizing | exaggerating your accomplishments and attributes | boastful, arrogant, bombastic |
selfish | only caring about yourself | egotistical, stingy, self-serving |
shameful | causing disgrace | indecent, offensive, immoral |
sheepish | meekly embarrassed | chagrined, contrite, hangdog |
slanderous | damaging one’s reputation with lies | libelous, pejorative, defamatory |
sleazy | having low morals or quality | cheap, vulgar, disreputable |
snobby | excluding others | pretentious, arrogant, aloof |
snooty | looking down on others | haughty, pompous, conceited |
sordid | morally distasteful | degrading, unsavory, tawdry |
spineless | lacking courage | cowardly, feeble, irresolute |
spiteful | purposely causing harm | malicious, bitter, mean |
spoiled | selfish due to overpampering | coddled, greedy, self-absorbed |
squalid | very dirty, repulsive | wretched, miserable, dismal |
stingy | not generous to others | miserly, parsimonious, frugal |
strenuous | requiring great energy | challenging, exhausting, taxing |
Nearly all of the above adjectives are super for describing people, but you don’t have to be stingy with your personality adjectives that start with “S.” Having all the right personality adjectives can help you describe your self-reliant sister, sincere friend, and suave crush.
sanguine | cheerfully confident | optimistic, bouyant, upbeat |
sarcastic | saying the opposite of what you mean to mock others | contemptuous, derisive, ridiculing |
sardonic | speaking scornfully | disdainful, cynical, jeering |
sassy | spirited and lively | audacious, flippant, cheeky |
savvy | understanding a situation | astute, clever, canny |
scrupulous | detailed and precise; morally correct | principled, conscientious, painstaking |
secretive | keeping secrets | reticent, taciturn, enigmatic |
self-reliant | able to depend on yourself | independent, liberated, self-sufficient |
sensitive | shows emotions easily | empathetic, keen, perceptive |
sequacious | easily influenced by others | servile, compliant, impressionable |
shrewd | showing good judgment in a crafty way | astute, cagey, clever |
shy | reluctant to speak | timid, quiet, nervous |
sincere | honest and genuine | heartfelt, earnest, credible |
sly | sneaky and cunning | guileful, conniving, devious |
sociable | friendly to others | affable, amiable, cordial |
solemn | serious and calm | formal, dignified, pensive |
solicitous | showing concern for others | attentive, thoughtful, tender |
spry | full of energy | nimble, active, lively |
sprightly | lively and brisk | perky, agile, animated |
stalwart | reliable and brave | dependable, indomitable, tenacious |
staunch | loyal and unwavering | ardent, trustworthy, dedicated |
suave | charmingly appealing | debonair, urbane, gallant |
sympathetic | expressing compassion or agreement | comforting, encouraging, genial |
It’s okay if you’re not satisfied just yet because there are a substantial number of descriptive adjectives starting with “S” that will keep you solid no matter the occasion. Not too shabby, if we say so ourselves!
Adjective | Definition | Synonyms |
savory | having a spicy or salty flavor | piquant, tangy, appetizing |
scenic | a view of beautiful scenery | picturesque, lovely, pleasing |
scorching | extremely hot | blazing, fiery, blistering |
scrawny | unattractively thin | slim, bony, skinny |
screeching | having a high-pitched cry | wailing, yelling, howling |
scruffy | untidy in appearance | tattered, mangy, worn |
searing | suddenly very hot | boiling, burning, roasting |
serpentine | snake-like | meandering, circuitous, twisting |
shabby | run down, worn out | neglected, dilapidated, ramshackle |
shaggy | having long, messy hair | unkempt, unshorn, disheveled |
shimmering | to shine in the light | glistening, gleaming, bright |
shiny | reflecting light on a smooth surface | bright, glossy, polished |
shrieking | a frantic, piercing yell | screaming, bellowing, shouting |
silky | smooth and soft | lustrous, velvety, glossy |
snug | fitting in a tight or comfortable way | cozy, compact, sheltered |
sonorous | having a deep, rich sound | resounding, resonant, full |
spacious | having plenty of space | commodious, roomy, palatial |
sparkling | reflecting beams of light | gleaming, brilliant, glittering |
stationary | not moving, staying still | inactive, still, idle |
stentorian | extremely loud | booming, powerful, thunderous |
stocky | solidly built | sturdy, thickset, broad |
Now that you have all these searing words in your brain, its time to put them to use. Seeing these “S” adjectives in some sage sentences can provide a more scenic view of of how you can incorporate these words into your vocabulary.
- My new car is spacious and comfortable.
- The sanctimonious man lectured the children about the evils of stealing, but he snuck candy into his own pockets.
- Penelope got in trouble for answering the teacher's question in a sarcastic way.
- The sassy girl always lets people know what she doesn’t like.
- I did not want to leave the dinner party because the conversation was so scintillating.
- The shy kid hated parties and crowds.
- Be respectful at this solemn occasion.
- He made a sincere effort to do well on the test.
- I have a singular purpose: to learn grammar.
- The baby squirrel was skinny and hungry.
- At our country club, many members are snobby and mean.
- The sly kid stole the cookies.
- I like to wear sophisticated outfits when I go to fancy places.
- My grandmother is a very spry woman, considering her age.
- Olivia is so stylish, so we invited her to the fashion show.
- Please get a haircut before you get too shaggy.
- The mayor’s relationship was so scandalous that he had to leave his office.
- His apology was saccharine and fake, so I didn’t accept it.
- Paula was sheepish when we caught her stealing the candy bar.
- I met my wife in a serendipitous moment — we both reached for the same newspaper.
Staff Writer
Adjectives That Start With T
Are you considering using some adjectives that start with "t"? Learning new adjectives one letter at a time is a great way to strengthen your vocabulary. Begin your journey by exploring this list of 50 adjectives that start with "t." From adjectives that describe people to terms that help accurately characterize other nouns, you're sure to find words that can help you improve your English language communication skills!
Adjectives That Start With M
Any word that describes a noun is considered to be an adjective. There are hundreds of adjectives in the English language that start with the letter "m." Explore these extensive lists of common and less common adjectives that start with "m," along with their meanings.