5th grade vocabulary words
498 words from Rookling's SSAT practice, each with a simple definition and a synonym. Words a strong 5th grade reader should know, and a good place to start for SSAT prep. Grade levels are a guide: a strong reader can move up a list.
| Word | Meaning | Synonym |
|---|---|---|
| abandon | To leave someone or something behind and not come back. | desert |
| abrupt | Happening with no warning. | sudden |
| absurd | So unreasonable that it makes no sense. | ridiculous |
| abundant | Existing in large amounts, more than enough. | plentiful |
| accurate | Free from mistakes and true to the facts. | correct |
| acquire | To come to own or have something, often by effort. | gain |
| adept | Very good at doing something because of practice. | skilled |
| adequate | Good enough for what is needed, but no more. | sufficient |
| adore | To care for someone or something with great warmth and affection. | love dearly |
| adversary | A person you are up against in a fight or contest. | opponent |
| aerial | Happening in the sky or seen from high above the ground. | airborne |
| affluent | Having lots of money and the nice things it buys. | rich |
| agony | Suffering so bad that it is hard to bear. | extreme pain |
| ally | A person or group that joins with you for a shared goal. | supporter |
| amass | To gather up a big pile of something over a period of time. | collect |
| amiable | Pleasant and easy to get along with. | friendly |
| amphibious | Able to live or travel in two kinds of places, dry ground and the sea. | on land and water |
| ancestor | A relative who lived long before you and is part of your family line. | relative from long ago |
| ancient | From a time very long ago in history. | old |
| anguish | Great suffering, usually in the mind or heart. | agony |
| anonymous | Written or done by someone whose identity is hidden or unknown. | unnamed |
| antagonist | A person who fights against the main character or the hero. | opponent |
| antique | An old object that is valuable because of its age. | old |
| anxious | Nervous and uneasy about what might happen. | worried |
| arbitrary | Decided on a whim, with no real reason behind the choice. | random |
| archaic | From a much earlier time and not in use anymore. | outdated |
| aroma | A smell, especially a pleasing one coming from food or flowers. | scent |
| arrogant | Acting as if you are better than everyone else. | conceited |
| assist | To work with someone to make a task easier. | help |
| astonished | Struck with sudden, great surprise. | amazed |
| athletic | Strong and fit, and good at running, jumping, and games. | sporty |
| attic | The room right under the roof of a house. | loft |
| augment | To make something larger by adding more to it. | increase |
| authentic | Not a copy or a fake, but truly what it is claimed to be. | real |
| aversion | A deep feeling against something that makes you want to avoid it. | strong dislike |
| aviation | The business and science of flying aircraft. | flight |
| barren | Unable to grow plants, with nothing living on it. | bare |
| bellow | To shout in a very deep, loud voice, like a big bull. | roar |
| beneficiary | A person who gets money or help from something. | receiver |
| benevolent | Full of goodwill and wanting to do good things for other people. | generous |
| berate | To tell someone off in a harsh, angry way for a long while. | scold |
| bewildered | Totally mixed up and unable to understand what is going on. | puzzled |
| bland | Having very little taste or excitement. | dull |
| blaze | A large, strong burning with high flames. | big, fierce fire |
| blizzard | A heavy snowfall blown around by strong winds. | snowstorm |
| boast | To talk about your skills or things in a way that shows too much pride. | brag |
| boiling | So warm that it feels almost unbearable. | very hot |
| bolster | To give extra strength or help to something that needs it. | support |
| botanical | Having to do with flowers, trees, and the study of them. | of plants |
| boundless | Having no end or edge, so it never runs out. | limitless |
| breeze | A light, soft flow of air that you can barely feel. | gentle wind |
| brief | Lasting only a little time. | short |
| brimming | Holding as much as it possibly can, right up to the edge. | full to the top |
| browse | To look at things in a relaxed way without reading or studying closely. | skim |
| burden | Something heavy that you must carry or put up with. | load |
| burrow | A hole in the ground that an animal digs for a home. | tunnel |
| bustling | Full of lively movement and many people doing things. | busy |
| calm | Quiet and relaxed, without worry or fuss. | peaceful |
| capture | To take hold of a person or animal and keep it. | catch |
| careless | Not paying attention to details, so you make mistakes. | sloppy |
| catastrophe | A sudden event that causes great damage or suffering. | disaster |
| cease | To come to an end or not go on. | stop |
| cellar | A room below the ground floor of a house, used for storage. | basement |
| cherish | To hold something dear and take good care of it. | treasure |
| chronological | Arranged so the oldest event comes first and the newest last. | in time order |
| clever | Quick at thinking up ideas and solving problems. | smart |
| clumsy | Often dropping or bumping into things when you move. | awkward |
| clutch | To hold on to something very tightly. | grip |
| coarse | Having a bumpy, scratchy feel, not smooth. | rough |
| coherent | Easy to follow because the parts fit together well. | easy to follow |
| competent | Having the skill to do a job well. | capable |
| comply | To do what a rule or an order tells you to do. | obey |
| concede | To say that something is true even though you did not want to. | admit |
| concise | Saying a lot using only a few words. | short |
| concur | To have the same opinion as someone else. | agree |
| confide | To tell a private secret to someone you trust. | open up |
| confront | To stand up to a person or problem and deal with it directly. | face |
| consult | To ask an expert or a book for help or information. | seek advice |
| contraband | Things that are sneaked across a border against the law. | smuggled goods |
| cordial | Warm and polite in the way you greet people. | friendly |
| courage | The ability to face danger or fear without running away. | bravery |
| cramped | With too little room for the people or things inside. | tight |
| crave | To have a very strong need or desire for something. | hunger for |
| creep | To move slowly and quietly with your body low. | sneak |
| crouch | To bend low with your knees folded and your body close to the ground. | squat |
| crowded | Filled with so many people that there is little room. | packed |
| crucial | So needed that things would fail without it. | extremely important |
| cryptic | Having a hidden meaning that is hard to work out. | puzzling |
| culprit | The one who is to blame for a crime or a mistake. | offender |
| cultivate | To prepare land or tend crops so they thrive, or to build up a skill. | grow |
| cunning | Good at getting what you want by using tricks. | sly |
| cynical | Believing that people act only out of selfish reasons. | distrustful |
| dabble | To do something now and then, without taking it seriously. | try casually |
| dart | To run or fly suddenly and fast in one direction, like a small fish. | dash |
| dawdle | To take much too long and waste time while doing something. | dillydally |
| dazzling | So full of shine that it hurts your eyes to look. | extremely bright |
| deafening | So noisy that you cannot hear anything else. | extremely loud |
| debris | The scattered pieces left after something has been broken or wrecked. | rubble |
| deceive | To make someone believe something that is not true. | trick |
| deduce | To figure something out by thinking about the facts you have. | conclude from evidence |
| deft | Quick and clever with your hands or actions. | skillful |
| delighted | Filled with great joy and happiness. | very pleased |
| demolish | To knock something over until nothing is left standing. | tear down |
| dense | Packed tightly so there is little space between parts. | thick |
| depart | To go away from a place, especially to begin a trip. | leave |
| descend | To move from a higher place to a lower one. | go down |
| desolate | Empty and lonely, with nobody around and a bleak feel. | deserted |
| detest | To dislike something very strongly. | hate |
| devour | To eat quickly and eagerly, with a big appetite. | gobble |
| dilemma | A hard choice between two or more things. | predicament |
| disagree | To not share the same opinion as someone else. | differ |
| discard | To get rid of something because you no longer want or need it. | toss |
| discomfort | A mild ache or an awkward, bothered feeling. | unease |
| discreet | Careful about what you say or do so as not to attract notice. | low-key |
| dismal | Dark and sad, making you feel low. | dreary |
| disobey | To not do what a rule or a person in charge says. | rebel |
| dispel | To drive away a feeling or belief completely. | banish |
| distant | A long way away in space or time. | far |
| domestic | Having to do with the home or family. | household |
| downpour | A sudden fall of water from the sky in great amounts. | heavy rain |
| doze | To sleep lightly for a short time, often when you did not plan to. | nap |
| dreadful | Awful and very unpleasant. | terrible |
| drizzle | A fine, soft mist of water falling from the clouds. | light rain |
| drought | A long stretch of weather with hardly any rain. | dry spell |
| dumbfounded | So surprised that you cannot find a word to say. | speechless |
| dusk | The time of evening when daylight fades and it gets dim. | twilight |
| eavesdrop | To secretly hear what other people are saying. | listen in |
| eccentric | Unusual in a way that is different from most people. | quirky |
| echo | What you hear when your voice bounces off a wall and comes back. | repeated sound |
| effortless | Done so smoothly that it seems to take no work. | easy |
| eject | To push or force something out suddenly. | expel |
| elegant | Pleasing and stylish in a simple, refined way. | graceful |
| elusive | Slipping away whenever someone tries to find or grab it. | hard to catch |
| emphatic | Said or done in a strong and certain way. | forceful |
| endeavor | A serious try at doing something. | attempt |
| enemy | A person who is against you and wants to harm you. | foe |
| enraged | Filled with a burning anger. | furious |
| entice | To win someone over by offering something that looks appealing. | tempt |
| epilogue | A short part at the very end of a story that tells what happened later. | closing section |
| error | Something done wrong or not correct. | mistake |
| eternal | Going on without any end, through all of time. | everlasting |
| evade | To slip away from a person or problem so it cannot catch you. | dodge |
| eventually | In the end, after a long time or many steps. | finally |
| evoke | To make a memory or feeling come back to you. | bring to mind |
| excavate | To remove earth from the ground to make a hole or uncover things. | dig out |
| excessive | Going past what is reasonable or necessary. | more than needed |
| exclaim | To say something suddenly and strongly because of a big feeling. | cry out |
| exclude | To keep something from being part of a group or list. | leave out |
| exhale | To let air leave your lungs. | breathe out |
| export | To send goods to another country to be sold. | ship abroad |
| extract | To pull something out, like a tooth. | remove |
| famous | Talked about and recognized by a great many people. | well-known |
| feasible | Able to be done in a practical way. | doable |
| feast | A large, special spread of dishes for many people to enjoy together. | big meal |
| feat | An act that takes great skill or strength to do. | achievement |
| feign | To act as if you have a feeling or condition when you really do not. | fake |
| feline | Having to do with the animal family that includes lions and house pets that purr. | catlike |
| fertile | Rich enough that plants grow well in it. | fruitful |
| festive | Joyful and full of the spirit of a party or holiday. | merry |
| fetch | To go to a place, get something, and carry it back. | retrieve |
| feud | A long fight between people or families that never seems to end. | lasting quarrel |
| flatter | To give too many compliments, often to win someone over. | butter up |
| flaunt | To display something proudly so everyone will notice. | show off |
| flawless | Having no faults, cracks, or errors at all. | perfect |
| flee | To leave in a hurry to escape danger. | run away |
| fleeting | Gone almost as soon as it comes. | brief |
| flourish | To grow well and be healthy and successful. | thrive |
| fluent | Able to speak or write smoothly and with ease. | articulate |
| foolish | Showing a lack of good sense. | silly |
| foresee | To know that something will happen before it does. | anticipate |
| forlorn | Sad and left alone, as if forgotten by everyone. | lonely |
| fortunate | Having good things happen to you by chance. | lucky |
| fragment | A part that has come off from the whole thing. | broken piece |
| frenzied | Wildly excited and out of control. | hysterical |
| frighten | To fill someone with fear. | scare |
| frivolous | Not serious and of little real value. | silly |
| frugal | Careful with money and not spending more than needed. | careful with money |
| futile | Having no chance of working, so effort is wasted. | pointless |
| generous | Happy to share your time or things with others. | giving |
| gigantic | Far bigger than what is normal. | huge |
| giggle | To make light, bubbly sounds because something is funny. | laugh in a silly way |
| gingerly | In a very careful way, to avoid causing harm. | cautiously |
| glance | A very short view of something. | a quick look |
| glimmer | A weak, wavering shine that appears for a moment. | faint, flickering light |
| gnaw | To bite on something again and again, wearing it down. | chew |
| gourmet | A person who knows and loves excellent cooking and fine dining. | food expert |
| grateful | Feeling that you want to show appreciation for a kindness. | thankful |
| grin | To spread your lips so your teeth show because you are happy. | smile widely |
| guffaw | A big, loud burst of laughter. | roaring laugh |
| gullible | Quick to believe whatever you are told. | easily fooled |
| gush | To burst out in a big, fast flow. | pour |
| gust | A short, strong burst of moving air. | sudden rush of wind |
| haggle | To argue with a seller to get a lower price. | bargain |
| harvest | To pick a crop when it has grown and is ripe. | gather |
| haul | To pull something heavy along with great effort. | drag |
| hazard | Something that might cause harm or injury. | danger |
| heirloom | A valued object handed down in a family for generations. | keepsake |
| helpless | Not able to do anything to protect or save yourself. | powerless |
| hermit | A person who chooses to live far from other people. | loner |
| hesitate | To stop for a moment before acting because you feel unsure. | hold back |
| hibernate | To spend the cold months resting deeply, as some animals do. | sleep through winter |
| hilarious | So amusing that it makes you laugh out loud. | very funny |
| hinder | To get in the way and slow something down. | hold back |
| hoard | To collect a large supply of something and keep it secretly for yourself. | stash |
| hoarse | Sounding rough and scratchy, like a voice after a lot of yelling. | raspy |
| hoist | To lift something heavy, often with ropes. | raise |
| hollow | Having a hole or open space in the middle instead of being solid. | empty inside |
| homage | Respect shown to someone in public. | respect |
| honest | Not lying, cheating, or stealing. | truthful |
| hover | To stay in the same spot in the air without landing. | float |
| humble | Not thinking you are better than other people. | modest |
| humid | With so much moisture in the air that it feels damp and sticky. | muggy |
| hurl | To throw something with a lot of power. | fling |
| hygienic | Free of dirt and germs, so it is good for your health. | clean |
| idle | Doing nothing or not being used. | inactive |
| idolize | To admire someone so much that you think they can do no wrong. | worship |
| illegal | Forbidden by the government's rules, so you can get in trouble. | unlawful |
| immature | Acting in a silly way that shows you have not grown up yet. | childish |
| immense | Far larger than what you would usually see. | huge |
| imminent | Likely to take place at any moment now. | about to happen |
| impasse | A spot where both sides are stuck and cannot move forward. | dead end |
| impatient | Not able to wait calmly for something. | restless |
| impending | Coming soon, as if it is hanging over you. | about to happen |
| imply | To let others figure something out without saying it plainly. | suggest |
| impractical | Not sensible or useful in real life. | unworkable |
| impulsive | Acting quickly on a sudden urge without thinking. | rash |
| inanimate | Not alive, like a rock or a chair. | lifeless |
| incapable | Lacking the skill or power to do something. | unable |
| incite | To urge people on to do something, often something bad. | fire up |
| incognito | Hiding who you really are so no one knows you. | in disguise |
| incomplete | Missing one or more parts that it needs. | unfinished |
| inconsiderate | Not caring about how your actions affect other people. | thoughtless |
| inedible | Not safe or fit for a person to have as food. | uneatable |
| inevitable | Certain to happen no matter what you do. | unavoidable |
| inexpensive | Not costing much money. | cheap |
| inkling | A small hint or feeling that something is true or may happen. | faint idea |
| inquire | To try to learn something by putting a question to someone. | ask |
| insomnia | Not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. | sleeplessness |
| inspect | To look at something carefully to check for problems. | examine |
| integrity | Always doing what is right, even when no one is watching. | honesty |
| interject | To say something suddenly while another person is speaking. | cut in |
| interrogate | To ask a person a long series of hard, tough queries. | question |
| interrupt | To break into what someone is saying or doing. | cut in |
| intervene | To enter a situation on purpose to change how it turns out. | step in |
| invincible | Too strong to ever be defeated. | unbeatable |
| invisible | Not able to be noticed by the eye, like air. | unseen |
| irrational | Not based on sound thinking or good sense. | unreasonable |
| jagged | Having rough edges with sharp points sticking out. | spiky |
| jeopardize | To put something at risk of harm or loss. | endanger |
| jeopardy | The chance that something will be lost or harmed. | peril |
| journey | The act of traveling from one place to another. | trip |
| jovial | Cheerful and full of good humor. | jolly |
| kindle | To start a fire burning, or to awaken a feeling. | ignite |
| lament | To show deep sadness about a loss. | mourn |
| localized | Staying inside a small spot instead of spreading far. | kept to one area |
| locate | To discover where something is. | find |
| loyal | Standing by a friend or country and not letting them down. | faithful |
| lucid | Easy to follow and understand. | clear |
| lucrative | Bringing in a lot of money. | profitable |
| lullaby | A soft, soothing tune that a parent sings to a baby at night. | bedtime song |
| lunar | Having to do with the body that circles Earth and shines at night. | of the moon |
| lunge | To push your body toward something in one sudden, strong step. | move forward suddenly |
| lure | To tempt a person or animal to come closer, often into a trap. | draw in |
| majestic | Impressive and noble in size or beauty. | grand |
| malady | A sickness that makes a person unwell. | disease |
| malnourished | Sick or weak because of not getting enough healthy food. | underfed |
| manuscript | A book or story as the writer first wrote or typed it. | author's draft |
| marginal | So small that it hardly makes a difference. | minor |
| maternal | Having to do with being a mom. | motherly |
| mediocre | Not good and not bad, just so-so. | average |
| melodious | Pleasing to hear, like sweet music. | tuneful |
| metropolis | A huge and busy place with many people, buildings, and roads. | big city |
| mighty | Having great strength and force. | very powerful |
| migrate | To travel from one area to another, often as the seasons change. | relocate |
| mimic | To copy the sounds or actions of another person or animal. | imitate |
| miniature | Made in a tiny size, like a toy copy of a real thing. | small-scale |
| mirage | Something you think you see in the desert heat that is not truly there. | illusion |
| misbehave | To do things you have been told not to do. | act up |
| misconception | A belief that many people hold but that is not true. | wrong idea |
| miserable | Feeling deeply sad and low. | very unhappy |
| misfortune | Something unpleasant that happens to you by chance. | bad luck |
| mishap | A small piece of bad luck, like spilling your drink. | minor accident |
| misinform | To give someone facts that are wrong. | mislead |
| misplace | To put something where you cannot find it later. | lose |
| mobile | Able to be moved around without trouble. | movable |
| momentous | Having great weight and meaning for the future. | hugely important |
| monarch | A king or queen who rules a country. | ruler |
| monologue | A long talk given by only one person, as in a play. | solo speech |
| monotonous | Boring because it stays the same all the time. | repetitive |
| monumental | Of great size or importance, like a giant statue. | massive |
| morsel | A tiny piece of food. | small bite |
| motionless | Staying completely still, like a statue. | unmoving |
| mundane | Dull and part of normal daily life. | everyday |
| murky | Dark and hard to see through, like muddy water. | cloudy |
| mutter | To speak in a low voice that others cannot hear well. | mumble |
| myriad | A very large number of things, more than anyone could add up. | countless |
| nestle | To settle into a warm, soft, comfortable spot. | snuggle |
| nibble | To eat in tiny amounts, a little at a time. | take small bites |
| nomad | A person with no fixed home who travels from place to place. | wanderer |
| nonchalant | Calm and not worried, acting as if nothing matters. | casual |
| nonstop | Going on without any breaks or pauses. | constant |
| novice | A person who is just starting to learn something. | beginner |
| nudge | To give a soft poke, like with an elbow. | push gently |
| nutritious | Full of the things your body needs to grow and stay healthy. | nourishing |
| oblivious | Not noticing what is going on around you. | unaware |
| obscure | Hidden away or understood by very few people. | unknown |
| obtain | To come to have something by effort or asking. | get |
| obvious | Very easy to see or figure out. | evident |
| omnivorous | Able to live on both plants and meat. | eating all foods |
| optimistic | Expecting that good things will happen. | hopeful |
| orchard | A piece of land planted with rows of fruit trees. | grove |
| ordinary | Normal, with nothing special about it. | usual |
| outrageous | So wrong or unfair that it makes people angry. | shocking |
| overwhelm | To be too much for someone or beat them with great force. | overpower |
| palatable | Good enough to eat and pleasing to the tongue. | tasty |
| pantry | A small room or cupboard where groceries are kept. | food closet |
| partially | Only in part, not all the way. | partly |
| peculiar | Different from what is expected and hard to explain. | strange |
| pedestrian | A person who is out on foot, such as on a sidewalk. | walker |
| peek | To glance quickly at something you are not supposed to see. | take a secret look |
| permit | To let someone do something. | allow |
| persevere | To keep trying even when it gets hard. | persist |
| pester | To keep bothering someone again and again until they are annoyed. | nag |
| pinnacle | The very top, like the point of a mountain or the best moment of a career. | peak |
| pliable | Easy to bend or shape without snapping. | flexible |
| plummet | To fall straight down very fast. | drop sharply |
| plunge | To drop quickly into water or down from a height. | dive |
| polite | Showing good manners and respect to others. | courteous |
| portable | Light and small enough to be carried around easily. | movable |
| postpone | To move an event to a later time than planned. | delay |
| pounce | To spring at something and land on it to catch it. | jump on suddenly |
| preamble | An opening part that comes before the main part of a speech or document. | introduction |
| precarious | Not steady, and likely to fall apart or go wrong. | unstable |
| precaution | A step you take ahead of time to avoid harm. | safeguard |
| precise | Correct in every small detail, with no mistakes. | exact |
| predict | To say what will happen before it does. | forecast |
| preliminary | Coming before the main event and getting things ready for it. | opening |
| premature | Happening sooner than it should or was expected. | untimely |
| prevalent | Found in many places or among many people. | common |
| preview | A chance to see something ahead of the public. | early look |
| priceless | Worth so much that it cannot be bought with money. | extremely valuable |
| pristine | Clean and fresh, as if no one had ever touched it. | spotless |
| procrastinate | To keep putting off a job that you should do now. | delay |
| profound | Reaching far below the surface in meaning or feeling. | deep |
| prohibit | To say that something must not be done, often by law or rule. | forbid |
| prompt | Doing something right away and at the right time. | punctual |
| prosper | To do very well and grow in wealth or success. | thrive |
| prowl | To creep around softly and without noise, like a cat looking for food. | move quietly while hunting |
| puny | Lacking size and strength. | small and weak |
| purchase | To get something by paying money for it. | buy |
| quaint | Pleasing in an old-fashioned, unusual way. | charming |
| rapid | Happening or moving at a high speed. | fast |
| ration | A set amount of food given to each person when supplies are limited. | portion |
| ravage | To wreck a place so that it is left in ruins. | badly damage |
| rebuild | To put something together a second time after it fell apart. | build again |
| recede | To move away and become farther off, like water leaving a shore. | retreat |
| recess | A short time during the day when students can go play. | break |
| reconsider | To think about a choice a second time and maybe change it. | rethink |
| recycle | To process old things like cans or paper into new items. | reuse |
| refuge | A place where you go to be safe from danger. | haven |
| regal | Looking or acting as if you belong to a king or queen. | royal |
| reluctant | Slow to act because you do not really want to do it. | hesitant |
| remedy | Something that makes an illness or problem go away. | cure |
| remote | Far from towns and hard to get to. | isolated |
| repair | To put something broken back in working order. | fix |
| reply | To say or write something back after being asked. | answer |
| reside | To have your home in a certain place. | live |
| resilient | Quick to bounce back after something hard happens. | able to recover |
| restless | Unable to stay still or relax because you are bored or worried. | fidgety |
| resurgence | A rise of something again after it had faded. | comeback |
| retort | To answer right away with a sharp or clever reply. | snap back |
| retrograde | Heading toward the rear instead of toward the front. | moving backward |
| reveal | To uncover something so people can see it. | show |
| revise | To go back over your work and make changes to improve it. | rewrite |
| revive | To bring something back to life, health, or strength. | restore |
| ripe | Grown enough to be picked and eaten. | ready |
| rival | A person who tries to beat you in a contest. | competitor |
| rummage | To search for something by messily moving things around. | dig through |
| rustic | Plain and simple, like life on a farm. | country-style |
| salvage | To rescue something from being destroyed or thrown away. | save |
| savor | To take pleasure in something fully, one little bit at a time. | enjoy slowly |
| scamper | To run with quick, light steps, like a small animal. | scurry |
| scarce | Hard to find because there is not much of it. | rare |
| scavenge | To hunt among old or thrown-out things to find something useful. | pick through |
| scenic | Having views that are lovely to look at. | beautiful |
| scoff | To laugh at something in a way that shows you think it is silly. | mock |
| scowl | To look at someone with your brows pulled down in anger. | frown |
| scribble | To write or draw fast in a messy, careless way. | write messily |
| secede | To formally leave a group or country and go off on your own. | break away |
| secluded | Far from other people and out of sight. | isolated |
| seize | To take hold of something quickly and tightly. | grab |
| seldom | Not very often. | rarely |
| sheltered | Kept safe from bad weather or harm. | protected |
| shove | To press hard against someone or something with force, often rudely. | push |
| shriek | To let out a high, sharp cry of fear or surprise. | screech |
| shun | To keep away from a person or thing on purpose. | avoid |
| silent | Making no sound at all. | quiet |
| sincere | Meaning what you say and not pretending. | heartfelt |
| sip | To take a tiny taste of juice or tea, a little at a time. | drink in small amounts |
| sketch | To make a quick, simple picture with a pencil or pen. | draw roughly |
| skirmish | A short fight between small groups. | minor clash |
| sleek | Having a shiny, even surface with no bumps or roughness. | smooth |
| smash | To break something into many pieces with a loud crash. | shatter |
| smidgen | A very small amount of something. | tiny bit |
| snatch | To take something in a sudden, quick move. | grab |
| soaked | Dripping and drenched all the way to the skin. | wet through |
| solemn | Showing deep and formal seriousness, with no joking. | serious |
| solitary | Being by yourself with no one else nearby. | lone |
| soothe | To ease someone's worry, pain, or upset feelings. | calm |
| sour | With a sharp taste, like lemon juice or unripe fruit. | tart |
| sparse | Few and far apart, with lots of gaps in between. | thinly spread |
| speck | A very small mark or bit of something, like dust. | tiny dot |
| spectacle | A scene or event that is amazing to see. | display |
| spectator | A person who watches an event, such as a game. | onlooker |
| spontaneous | Done suddenly because you felt like it. | unplanned |
| spotless | Without a single stain or mark of dirt. | perfectly clean |
| sprint | To run at top speed for a short distance. | dash |
| stale | Dry and unpleasant because it has been sitting around too long. | not fresh |
| stammer | To speak with pauses and repeated sounds because words will not come out smoothly. | stutter |
| stare | To look at something steadily for a long time. | gaze |
| stealthy | Moving quietly and carefully so no one notices you. | sneaky |
| stingy | Unwilling to spend money or share what you have. | tightfisted |
| stride | To move along with big, confident paces on foot, as if you know where you are going. | walk with long steps |
| strut | To walk with big, proud steps to show off. | swagger |
| stubborn | Refusing to change your mind even when asked to. | refusing to give in |
| studious | Fond of learning and spending time on schoolwork. | bookish |
| subterranean | Located beneath the surface of the earth. | underground |
| sulk | To stay quietly upset and grumpy because you did not get your way. | pout |
| sullen | Quiet and in a bad mood. | glum |
| superb | Of the highest quality and truly wonderful. | excellent |
| supervise | To be in charge of people or work and make sure it goes well. | oversee |
| surpass | To go beyond someone else and be better than they are. | outdo |
| swarm | A big group of insects or people all traveling together. | large, moving crowd |
| sway | To lean gently one way and then the other, like a tree in wind. | swing |
| swift | Moving at great speed. | quick |
| synchronize | To make things happen together at exactly the same moment. | set to the same time |
| tame | Used to living near people instead of living free in nature. | not wild |
| tattered | Torn and frayed from long, rough use. | ragged |
| tedious | So long and dull that it tires you out. | boring |
| teeming | Crowded with lots of living things moving about. | full of creatures |
| teeter | To sway back and forth as if about to fall over. | wobble |
| tentative | Not final or sure, done with some doubt. | not yet final |
| terrain | The shape and features of a piece of land, such as hills or rocks. | ground |
| tinge | A slight touch of a color or feeling. | faint trace |
| tireless | Working hard for a long while without slowing down or giving out. | untiring |
| torrential | Coming down hard and fast in huge amounts, like a storm. | pouring |
| toss | To lightly send something through the air with your hand. | throw |
| towering | Rising far above everything around it. | very tall |
| toxic | Able to make a living thing sick or kill it. | poisonous |
| tranquil | Calm and still, with no noise or trouble. | peaceful |
| transcend | To rise above a limit and go beyond it. | go beyond |
| transform | To change something completely into something new. | convert |
| transient | Staying or lasting only a short while before moving on. | temporary |
| transmit | To pass a message or signal from one place to another. | send |
| transparent | Easy to see through, like clean glass. | clear |
| transport | To take people or goods from one place to another. | carry |
| trickle | A tiny stream of water that moves along bit by bit. | thin, slow flow |
| triumph | A great success after a struggle or contest. | victory |
| trivial | Small and not worth much attention. | unimportant |
| tug | To grab and give a hard, sudden yank. | pull |
| turbulent | Full of rough movement, violent change, and confusion. | stormy |
| unbearable | So bad that you cannot stand it. | intolerable |
| underestimate | To think something is smaller or weaker than it really is. | undervalue |
| unfamiliar | Not known to you because you have not met it before. | strange |
| unify | To bring separate things together as a whole. | unite |
| unkind | Not gentle or friendly toward other people. | mean |
| unprecedented | Never having happened or been known before. | never done before |
| unusual | Not happening often or not like the others. | odd |
| unwell | Feeling sick or not in good health. | ill |
| urban | Having to do with towns and busy streets with many buildings. | city |
| useless | Not able to do the job it was made for. | unusable |
| utterly | To the fullest degree, with nothing left out. | totally |
| vague | Not stated clearly or with few details. | unclear |
| vanish | To go out of sight suddenly and completely. | disappear |
| vast | Stretching over a very wide space. | enormous |
| venomous | Having a bite or sting that puts harmful liquid into another animal. | able to inject poison |
| verdict | The official judgment made at the end of a trial. | decision |
| verify | To check that something is true or correct. | confirm |
| versatile | Able to be used in many different ways. | all-purpose |
| veteran | Someone who has done a job or served in a war for many years. | experienced person |
| vigorous | Done with great strength and lots of force. | energetic |
| villain | The bad person in a story who works against the hero. | wrongdoer |
| vital | Absolutely needed for life or success. | essential |
| vocal | Quick to share your opinions and not shy about it. | outspoken |
| wade | To step slowly in a shallow pond, a stream, or deep mud. | walk through water |
| wander | To walk around with no set goal or path. | roam |
| wary | On guard because something might go wrong. | watchful |
| wealthy | Having a lot of money or things of great value. | rich |
| weathered | Changed in look by years of sun, wind, and rain. | worn |
| weep | To let tears fall from your eyes because you are sad. | cry |
| whimper | A quiet, sad sound made by someone who is hurt or scared. | soft, weak cry |
| whisper | To talk in a very low voice with just your breath. | speak softly |
| wilted | Hanging down and limp, like a plant that needs water. | drooping |
| wily | Smart and sneaky about getting what you want. | sly |
| wince | To tighten your face for a moment because of pain or something unpleasant. | flinch |
| worthless | Having no use or price at all. | valueless |
| yearn | To feel a deep, aching wish for something you do not have. | long for |
| zealous | Full of eager energy and passion for a cause. | enthusiastic |
For words your child half knows, see synonym strategies.