98 Adjectives That Start With “S”

Updated September 13, 2022
List of four adjectives from the article that start with S.
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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.

Positive Adjectives That Start With “S”

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

Negative Adjectives That Start With “S”

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

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Personality Adjectives That Start With “S”

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.

Adjective

Definition

Synonyms

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

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Descriptive Adjectives That Start With “S”

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

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Example Sentences for Adjectives Starting With “S”

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.

  1. My new car is spacious and comfortable.
  2. The sanctimonious man lectured the children about the evils of stealing, but he snuck candy into his own pockets.
  3. Penelope got in trouble for answering the teacher's question in a sarcastic way.
  4. The sassy girl always lets people know what she doesn’t like.
  5. I did not want to leave the dinner party because the conversation was so scintillating.
  6. The shy kid hated parties and crowds.
  7. Be respectful at this solemn occasion.
  8. He made a sincere effort to do well on the test.
  9. I have a singular purpose: to learn grammar.
  10. The baby squirrel was skinny and hungry.
  11. At our country club, many members are snobby and mean.
  12. The sly kid stole the cookies.
  13. I like to wear sophisticated outfits when I go to fancy places.
  14. My grandmother is a very spry woman, considering her age.
  15. Olivia is so stylish, so we invited her to the fashion show.
  16. Please get a haircut before you get too shaggy.
  17. The mayor’s relationship was so scandalous that he had to leave his office.
  18. His apology was saccharine and fake, so I didn’t accept it.
  19. Paula was sheepish when we caught her stealing the candy bar.
  20. I met my wife in a serendipitous moment — we both reached for the same newspaper.
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Speak for Yourself With More “S” Words

There are even more stimulating “S” words outside of just adjectives. Learning nouns, verbs, and other parts of speech can turn you into a more salient individual, while improving your writing and speaking abilities.