Adjectives That Start with S | List, Exercise & Examples

List of Positive Adjectives That Start With S

Adjective	Definition	Example Sentence
Sacred	Regarded with great respect or reverence.	The ancient temple is a sacred place for many.
Sacrosanct	Too important or valuable to be interfered with.	Their privacy was considered sacrosanct.
Sage	Wise and judicious.	He offered sage advice during the meeting.
Salient	Most noticeable or important.	The report highlighted the salient points.
Salubrious	Promoting health and well-being.	The mountain air was salubrious and refreshing.
Sanative	Having healing properties.	The spa offered sanative treatments for stress.
Sartorial	Related to tailoring or clothing.	His sartorial elegance was admired by all.
Scintillating	Sparkling or brilliant.	Her scintillating wit kept everyone entertained.
Selfless	Putting others' needs before one’s own.	Her selfless acts of kindness inspired many.
Sensational	Exceptionally good or impressive.	The singer gave a sensational performance.
Serendipitous	Occurring by chance in a happy or beneficial way.	Their meeting was completely serendipitous.
Serene	Calm and peaceful.	She enjoyed the serene beauty of the sunset.
Sharp	Quick-witted or keen.	His sharp intellect was evident in every debate.
Sinewy	Lean and muscular.	The athlete’s sinewy frame showed his strength.
Singular	Remarkable or exceptional.	Her performance was of singular brilliance.
Sophisticated	Refined, cultured, and worldly.	The restaurant had a sophisticated ambiance.
Spiritual	Relating to the soul or spirit.	The retreat was a deeply spiritual experience.
Spirited	Full of energy and enthusiasm.	The team played with a spirited determination.
Splendid	Magnificent and impressive.	The view from the top of the mountain was splendid.
Stately	Having a dignified and majestic manner.	The mansion was grand and stately.
Steadfast	Firm and unwavering.	She remained steadfast in her commitment to justice.
Stellar	Exceptionally good or outstanding.	His stellar performance earned him an award.
Stimulating	Exciting and thought-provoking.	The lecture was both informative and stimulating.
Striking	Attracting attention due to being unusual or impressive.	Her striking features made her stand out in the crowd.
Stunning	Extremely impressive or attractive.	She looked absolutely stunning in her dress.
Stylish	Fashionable and elegant.	He always dressed in a stylish manner.
Sublime	Of such excellence or beauty as to inspire awe.	The painting was a sublime work of art.
Sumptuous	Luxurious and splendid.	They enjoyed a sumptuous feast at the banquet.

List of Negative Adjectives That Start With S

Adjective	Definition	Example Sentence
Saccharine	Excessively sweet or sentimental to the point of being unpleasant.	Her saccharine tone made her insincerity obvious.
Sanctimonious	Making a show of being morally superior to others.	His sanctimonious attitude irritated everyone.
Sappy	Overly emotional or foolishly sentimental.	The movie was too sappy for my taste.
Savage	Brutal, fierce, or cruel.	His savage comments left everyone in shock.
Scandalous	Causing public outrage or shame.	The politician resigned after a scandalous revelation.
Scary	Causing fear or anxiety.	The abandoned house looked scary at night.
Scathing	Harshly critical or severe.	Her scathing review hurt the author deeply.
Scornful	Feeling or expressing contempt or disdain.	He gave a scornful glance at his opponent.
Scummy	Dirty or unpleasant.	The pond water looked murky and scummy.
Seedy	Disreputable or shabby.	The hotel was in a seedy part of town.
Self-absorbed	Preoccupied with one’s own interests or concerns.	His self-absorbed behavior alienated his friends.
Self-aggrandizing	Seeking to enhance one’s own importance.	Her self-aggrandizing speeches annoyed everyone.
Selfish	Lacking consideration for others.	His selfish decision upset the whole team.
Shameful	Deserving of shame or disgrace.	His actions were shameful and deeply disappointing.
Sheepish	Showing embarrassment from shame or lack of confidence.	He gave a sheepish smile after making the mistake.
Slanderous	False and damaging to someone’s reputation.	The tabloid published a slanderous article about her.
Sleazy	Dishonest or morally corrupt.	The salesman’s sleazy tactics were obvious.
Snobby	Having a sense of superiority and disdain for others.	She refused to talk to them, acting snobby.
Snooty	Arrogantly disdainful or aloof.	His snooty attitude made him unpopular.
Sordid	Involving immoral or dishonorable actions.	The sordid details of the case shocked the public.
Spineless	Lacking courage or determination.	He’s too spineless to stand up for himself.
Spiteful	Showing malice or a desire to harm.	Her spiteful remarks were unnecessary.
Spoiled	Overindulged and behaving badly as a result.	The child was spoiled and threw tantrums constantly.
Squalid	Extremely dirty and unpleasant.	They lived in squalid conditions.
Stingy	Unwilling to spend money or share resources.	He’s too stingy to tip the waiter.
Strenuous	Requiring great effort and energy.	The hike up the mountain was strenuous and exhausting.

Illustration of Adjectives That Start with S

List of Personality Adjectives That Start With S

Adjective	Definition	Example Sentence
Sanguine	Optimistic and cheerful, especially in difficult situations.	Despite the challenges, she remained sanguine about the future.
Sarcastic	Using irony to mock or convey contempt.	His sarcastic remarks often hurt people’s feelings.
Sardonic	Grimly mocking or cynical.	She gave a sardonic smile when asked about the mistake.
Sassy	Bold, lively, and full of spirit.	Her sassy attitude always brightened the room.
Savvy	Shrewd and knowledgeable, especially in practical matters.	He’s very savvy when it comes to business strategies.
Scrupulous	Extremely attentive to details and morally principled.	She’s a scrupulous editor who never misses a mistake.
Secretive	Keeping thoughts or intentions hidden from others.	He’s so secretive about his personal life.
Self-reliant	Independent and able to rely on oneself.	She has always been self-reliant and handles her problems alone.
Sensitive	Quick to detect or respond to the feelings of others.	He’s very sensitive and easily hurt by criticism.
Sequacious	Eager to follow others without independent thought.	The sequacious nature of the group worried the leader.
Shrewd	Having sharp judgment and practical intelligence.	He made a shrewd investment that paid off greatly.
Shy	Timid and reserved in social situations.	She’s too shy to speak in front of a large audience.
Sincere	Genuine and free from deceit.	His sincere apology was appreciated by everyone.
Sly	Cunning and deceitful, often in a playful way.	He gave her a sly wink before sharing the secret.
Sociable	Enjoying the company of others.	She’s very sociable and loves attending parties.
Solemn	Serious and dignified.	His tone was solemn as he announced the decision.
Solicitous	Showing concern or care for someone.	She was always solicitous about her children’s well-being.
Spry	Energetic and lively, especially in older age.	The spry old man amazed everyone with his energy.
Sprightly	Full of life and energy.	Her sprightly demeanor made her popular among her friends.
Stalwart	Loyal and reliable, especially in difficult times.	He’s a stalwart supporter of the team, no matter their performance.
Staunch	Firm and unwavering in loyalty or support.	She’s a staunch advocate for human rights.
Suave	Smoothly charming and confident.	He impressed everyone with his suave manners.
Sympathetic	Showing understanding and compassion.	Her sympathetic nature made her a great friend to confide in.

List of Descriptive Adjectives That Start With S

Adjective	Definition	Example Sentence
Savory	Having a pleasant taste or smell, often used for non-sweet foods.	The chef prepared a savory stew that everyone loved.
Scenic	Offering beautiful natural views.	We took a drive along the scenic mountain route.
Scorching	Extremely hot.	The scorching sun made it hard to stay outside for long.
Scrawny	Very thin and bony in appearance.	The stray dog looked scrawny and in need of care.
Screeching	Making a high-pitched, piercing sound.	The car came to a halt with a screeching sound.
Scruffy	Untidy or shabby in appearance.	He arrived in a scruffy shirt that needed ironing.
Searing	Extremely intense or hot.	The desert heat was searing, making the journey difficult.
Serpentine	Resembling a snake; winding or twisting.	The serpentine road made the drive exciting but challenging.
Shabby	Worn out or in poor condition.	The furniture in the old house was shabby but had charm.
Shaggy	Covered with long, untidy hair or fur.	The dog’s shaggy coat needed grooming.
Shimmering	Reflecting a faint, wavering light.	The lake was shimmering under the moonlight.
Shiny	Reflecting light brightly.	Her shoes were polished to a shiny finish.
Shrieking	Emitting a sharp, high-pitched cry.	The sound of shrieking laughter filled the room.
Silky	Smooth and soft to the touch.	She wore a silky scarf that felt luxurious.
Snug	Comfortable, warm, and cozy.	The baby looked snug in the soft blanket.
Sonorous	Producing a deep, resonant sound.	His sonorous voice filled the auditorium.
Spacious	Having a lot of room; large and open.	Their new apartment was bright and spacious.
Sparkling	Shining brightly with flashes of light.	The diamonds were sparkling in the display case.
Stationary	Not moving or not intended to move.	The car remained stationary at the red light.
Stentorian	Extremely loud and powerful in sound.	The teacher’s stentorian voice silenced the room.
Stocky	Solidly built and sturdy in appearance.	The wrestler had a stocky physique.

Featured Adjectives Grouped by Topics

1. Appearance and Physical Characteristics

Shiny: Reflecting light brightly.
Sandy: Covered with or resembling sand.
Slender: Thin and gracefully slim.
Smooth: Even and flat surface.
Solid: Firm and strong.
Sturdy: Durable and well-built.

2. Personality Traits

Sociable: Enjoying the company of others.
Sensitive: Quick to feel emotions.
Stoic: Enduring pain without showing it.
Supportive: Offering encouragement and help.
Self-assured: Confident in one’s abilities.
Sincere: Genuine and honest.

3. Emotional States

Sullen: Gloomy and bad-tempered.
Sympathetic: Showing compassion and understanding.
Spirited: Full of energy and enthusiasm.
Stubborn: Determined and inflexible.
Satisfied: Content and happy with something.
Surprised: Feeling astonishment or shock.

4. Behavioral Characteristics

Sarcastic: Using irony to mock or convey contempt.
Steadfast: Loyal and unwavering.
Spontaneous: Acting without premeditation.
Suspicious: Inclined to doubt or mistrust.
Self-reliant: Independent and confident in one’s abilities.
Strategic: Skilled in planning and organizing.

5. Environmental and Descriptive Words

Serene: Calm and peaceful.
Stormy: Turbulent or marked by storms.
Silent: Completely without sound.
Sunlit: Illuminated by sunlight.
Snowy: Covered with snow.
Shadowy: Full of shadows or partially dark.

Everyday Use of Adjectives Starting With S

1. Describing People in Conversations

Supportive: “She’s such a supportive friend; I can always count on her.”
Sensitive: “Be careful with your words; he’s quite sensitive.”
Sociable: “My new coworker is very sociable and easy to talk to.”
Sincere: “I appreciate your sincere apology.”

2. Talking About Physical Appearance

Shiny: “The new car has a shiny finish.”
Slender: “She has a slender figure from all the yoga she does.”
Sturdy: “This table feels incredibly sturdy.”
Smooth: “The fabric is so smooth to the touch.”

3. Expressing Emotions and Feelings

Satisfied: “I feel so satisfied with how the project turned out.”
Surprised: “I was genuinely surprised by the unexpected gift.”
Sympathetic: “He was very sympathetic when I told him about my situation.”
Stubborn: “My little brother is so stubborn when it comes to sharing his toys.”

4. Describing Situations or Events

Spontaneous: “We made a spontaneous decision to go to the beach.”
Serene: “The park was so serene in the early morning.”
Stormy: “It was a stormy night, perfect for staying indoors.”
Suspicious: “His behavior seemed a bit suspicious, don’t you think?”

5. Discussing Work or Studies

Steadfast: “She’s steadfast in her commitment to finish the project.”
Strategic: “Our team needs a strategic plan to win this client.”
Self-reliant: “He’s very self-reliant, handling tasks without any help.”
Systematic: “Her systematic approach to organizing the data saved us time.”

6. Everyday Descriptions of Places and Things

Snowy: “The snowy mountain peaks looked breathtaking.”
Silent: “The library was completely silent as everyone focused on their work.”
Spacious: “Their new house is so spacious, perfect for a growing family.”
Sunlit: “I love working in a sunlit room; it feels so cheerful.”

Common Mistakes

Stagnant vs. Stable

Mistake: “The market is stagnant, so it’s a good time to invest.”
Correction: “The market is stable, so it’s a good time to invest.”

Sociable vs. Social

Mistake: “She’s very social with her coworkers.”
Correction: “She’s very sociable with her coworkers.”

Sensitive vs. Sensible

Mistake: “He made a sensitive decision about the budget.”
Correction: “He made a sensible decision about the budget.”

FAQ

What are some positive adjectives that start with S?

Positive adjectives include serene, supportive, spectacular, steadfast, and sophisticated.

Can “stubborn” be used positively?

Yes, stubborn can describe someone determined and persistent in a good way.

What’s the difference between “sociable” and “social”?

Sociable refers to enjoying interaction with others, while social relates to society or social structures.

How is “sarcastic” different from “ironic”?

Sarcastic usually involves mocking, while ironic highlights the opposite of what is expected.

Can “slippery” describe a person?

Yes, it can describe someone who is evasive or untrustworthy.