Full List
Sabotage: To deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct something, especially for political or military advantage.
- The rebels tried to sabotage the bridge to stop enemy supplies.
Sacrifice: To give up something valuable for the sake of others or for an important cause. To kill an animal/person as an offering to a deity.
- She sacrificed her free time to care for her sick friend.
- The villagers sacrificed a lamb during the ritual.
Saddle: To put a saddle on a horse or similar animal. To burden someone with a responsibility or problem.
- He saddled his horse before setting off on the trail.
- She was saddled with extra work after her coworker left.
Safeguard: To protect something or someone from harm or damage.
- Laws exist to safeguard children from exploitation.
Sail: To travel on water using sails or a boat. To move smoothly and confidently.
- They sailed across the Atlantic in a small yacht.
- He sailed through the exam with no problems.
Salute: To raise the hand to the forehead as a sign of respect. To show admiration or honor.
- The soldiers saluted their commanding officer.
- The award salutes her lifetime achievements.
Salvage: To save something valuable from destruction, damage, or loss.
- Firefighters salvaged furniture from the burning house.
Sample: To test or try a small amount of something.
- He sampled the soup before serving it to guests.
Satisfy: To meet expectations, needs, or desires. To provide adequate proof or explanation.
- The meal satisfied her hunger.
- His answer did not satisfy the teacher’s question.
Saunter: To walk in a slow, relaxed manner.
- She sauntered into the café as if she owned the place.
Save: To rescue from danger. To keep money or resources for later.
- The lifeguard saved the child from drowning.
- He saved every penny for a new car.
Savor: To enjoy something fully, especially taste or experience.
- She savored the last bite of chocolate cake.
Saw: To cut with a saw.
- He sawed the wood into smaller pieces.
Say: To express in words. To state as opinion or information.
- She said she would be late for the meeting.
- They say honesty is the best policy.
Scale: To climb up something. To adjust in size or proportion.
- They scaled the mountain in just two days.
- The company scaled its operations to meet demand.
Scan: To look at something quickly but carefully. To pass a device over something to read or capture information.
- He scanned the crowd for a familiar face.
- She scanned the barcode at the register.
Scare: To frighten someone.
- The loud noise scared the children.
Scatter: To throw or spread things over an area in irregular fashion.
- The farmer scattered seeds across the field.
Schedule: To arrange something to happen at a particular time.
- The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Scheme: To make secret plans, often dishonest ones. To plan or plot systematically.
- The rivals schemed to overthrow the leader.
- She schemed out every detail of the project.
School: To educate or train someone.
- He was schooled in classical piano.
Scold: To criticize angrily, especially a child.
- The mother scolded her son for breaking the vase.
Scoop: To pick up or gather with a scoop or spoon. To publish exclusive news.
- She scooped ice cream into the bowl.
- The newspaper scooped the story before its competitors.
Score: To gain points in a game. To write or arrange music. To achieve success.
- He scored the winning goal in overtime.
- She scored the film soundtrack.
Scratch: To rub or scrape the skin. To cancel or withdraw something.
- He scratched his arm where it itched.
- The team scratched their entry at the last minute.
Scream: To make a loud, high-pitched sound in fear, pain, or excitement.
- She screamed when the spider crawled on her hand.
Screen: To show a film or broadcast. To test or check systematically.
- The movie was screened at the festival.
- They screened job applicants carefully.
Screw: To fasten or tighten with a screw. To ruin or mess something up.
- He screwed the shelf into the wall.
- “I really screwed up my chance at the audition . . . “
Scribble: To write or draw quickly and carelessly.
- The child scribbled on the wall with crayons.
Scrub: To clean something by rubbing it hard.
- She scrubbed the floor until it shone.
Search: To try to find something.
- The police searched the house for evidence.
Secure: To make safe. To obtain something after effort.
- The windows were secured with locks.
- She secured a new job in the city.
Seduce: To tempt or attract someone into doing something. To lure someone into sexual activity.
- The offer seduced him into taking the risky job.
- She seduced him with her charm and confidence.
See: To perceive with the eyes. To understand or imagine.
- I saw a rainbow after the rain.
- Now I see what you mean.
Seek: To attempt to find, obtain, or achieve something.
- He sought advice from his mentor.
Seize: To take hold suddenly or by force. To take advantage of an opportunity.
- The police seized the stolen goods.
- She seized the chance to study abroad.
Select: To choose from a group.
- Please select a seat from the chart.
Sell: To exchange something for money. To persuade someone to accept an idea.
- She sold her old bike for $50.
- He sold me on the idea of moving abroad.
Send: To cause something to go from one place to another.
- “I sent her an email yesterday.”
Sense: To perceive or detect something.
- She sensed tension in the room.
Separate: To divide or split apart.
- The teacher separated the noisy students.
Serve: To provide food or service. To work for or assist.
- The waiter served us dinner.
- She served as president for two years.
Settle: To resolve a dispute or problem. To live in a place permanently.
- They settled the argument peacefully.
- The family settled in Canada after moving abroad.
Sew: To join fabric with stitches.
- She sewed a button onto her shirt.
Shake: To move with quick, forceful movements. To tremble.
- He shook the bottle before opening it.
- Her hands shook from nervousness.
Shape: To form or influence something.
- Experiences in childhood shape a person’s character.
Share: To give a portion of something to others. To have or experience something jointly.
- She shared her lunch with a friend.
- They shared a love of travel.
Shatter: To break suddenly into many pieces. To ruin hopes or confidence.
- The glass shattered when it hit the floor.
- The news shattered her dreams of becoming a pilot.
Shave: To cut hair from the skin’s surface. To reduce or remove a small amount.
- He shaved his beard this morning.
- They shaved two minutes off their record time.
Shine: To emit light. To perform well or stand out.
- The sun shone brightly over the valley.
- She shone in her role as team leader.
