| A | B |
|---|
| raze | to tear down completely; to destroy |
| rebuff | to refuse in a sharp or rude way; to snub; to drive or beat back |
| recalcitrant | refusing to obey rules or follow orders; unmanageably resistant |
| recluse | a person who lives alone, away from others |
| redundant | wordy; exceeding what is necessary or normal; lavish; overflowing |
| refurbish | to freshen or polish again; to make like new |
| rejuvenate | to make young or fresh again |
| relegate | to put in a less important position; to assign; to banish |
| relic | a thing or part that remains form the past; something kept as sacred because it belonged to a saint |
| remorse | a deep feeling of sorrow or guilt over a wrong one has done |
| repudiate | to reject; to refuse to recognize, acknowledge or pay; to divorce or discard |
| repugnant | disgusting; loathsome; objectionable; incompatible |
| rescind | to cancel; to repeal; to set aside |
| residual | left over; remaining |
| resilient | getting back strength or spirits quickly; springing back into shape or position |
| respite | a temporary cessation or postponement, usually of something disagreeable; interval of rest |
| reticent | not saying much, especially about one's thoughts |
| retract | to draw back or draw in; to take back a statement; to promise or to offer |
| ruthless | merciless; cruel; heartless |
| sagacious | very wise or shrewd |
| salutary | healthful; useful or helpful; remedial |
| sanction | authorized approval or permission; support or encouragement; something that gives binding force to a law |
| saturate | to soak through and through; to fill completely |
| savory | pleasing to taste or smell; pleasant; morally attractive |
| scapegoat | one taking the blame for the mistakes and crimes of others |
| scoff | to mock or jeer at; to make fun of |
| scrupulous | very honest and conscientious; careful about details; exact |
| scrutinize | to look at very carefully; to inspect minutely |
| sectarian | pertaining to a group within a larger group that is limited by common beliefs or interests; narrow-minded |
| sequester | to hide or keep away from others; to withdraw into seclusion; to confiscate; to segregate |
| serene | unruffled; tranquil; unclouded |
| skeptical | not easily persuaded or convinced; doubting the fundamental doctrines of religion |
| sobriety | seriousness, gravity, or solemnity; absence of alcoholic intoxication |
| solemn | observed or done according to ritual or tradition; formal; serious or earnest; arousing feelings of awe; very impressive |
| soporific | causing sleep; drowsy |
| sporadic | occurring at irregular intervals; isolated |
| spurious | lacking authenticity; counterfeit; false |
| squalid | dirty or wretched in appearance; morally repulsive; sordid |
| stagnate | to lie inactive; to fail to progress or develop |
| stoic | indifferent to or unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive |
| stringent | rigidly controlled or enforced; severe; strict |
| stultifying | rendering useless or ineffectual; causing to appear stupid or ridiculous |
| substantiate | to support with proof or evidence; to verify |
| succinct | clearly expressed in a few words; concise; terse |
| sullen | silent and keeping to oneself because one feels angry, bitter, or hurt; resentful; morose; sulky |
| sumptuous | lavish; costly; extravagantly or luxuriously dressed |
| supercilious | proud and scornful; haughty; looking down on others |
| superficial | concerned with comprehending what is apparent or obvious; hasty; of or near the surface |
| superfluous | beyond what is required or sufficient; extra |
| surmise | to imagine or infer on slight grounds |
