| A | B |
| resigned | accepting one's fate; unresisting; patiently submissive |
| resilient | elastic; having the power of springing back. Highly resilient, steel makes excellent bedsprings |
| resolution | determination; resolve |
| resolve | determination; firmness of purpose |
| respite | interval of relief; time for rest; delay in punish¬ment |
| resplendent | dazzling; glorious; brilliant |
| restraint | moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction. Control yourself |
| reticence | reserve; uncommunicativeness; inclination to silence |
| retract | withdraw; take back |
| reverent | respectful; worshipful |
| rhetorical | pertaining to effective communication; insincere in language |
| rigor | severity |
| robust | vigorous; strong |
| rudimentary | not developed; elementary; crude |
| sage | person celebrated for wisdom |
| salient | prominent |
| salubrious | healthful |
| sanction | approve; ratify |
| sanguine | cheerful; hopeful |
| sardonic | disdainful; sarcastic; cynical |
| satirical | mocking |
| saturnine | gloomy |
| savory | tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable |
| scanty | meager; insufficient |
| scrupulous | conscientious; extremely thorough |
| scrutinize | examine closely and critically |
| seclusion | isolation solitude ; |
| sedentary | requiring sitting |
| sedulous | diligent hardworking |
| serendipity | gift for finding valuable or desirable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck. |
| servile | slavish; cringing. |
| skeptic | doubter; person who suspends judgment until the evidence supporting a point of view has been exam¬ined. |
| sluggish | Slow; lazy; lethargic |
| solicitous | worried; concerned |
| solvent | able to pay all debts |
| somber | gloomy; depressing; dark; drab |
| sophistry | seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning |
| sophomoric | immature; half-baked, like a sophomore |
| soporific | sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness |
| specious | seemingly reasonable but incorrect; mis¬leading (often intentionally). |
| sporadic | occurring irregularly |
| spurious | false; counterfeit; forged; illogical. |
| spurn | reject; scorn |
| squander | waste |
| stagnant | motionless; stale; dull |
| static | unchanging; lacking development. |
| steadfast | loyal; unswerving |
| stigma | token of disgrace; brand |
| stipulate | make express conditions; specify |
| stolid | dull; impassive. |
| strident | loud and harsh; insistent |
| stupefy | make numb; stun; amaze. |
| sublime | exalted or noble and uplifting; utter |