A-Z-45

60 words & definitions

spurn verb
To reject and push away with disdain, scorn, and contempt
sputter verb
Top make a series of soft explosive sounds, typically when hot and malfunctioning.
squabble verb
To quarrel noisily over a trivial matter
squander verb
To waste something, such as money or time, in a reckless and foolish manner
squawk nounverb
verb
(of a bird) make a loud, harsh noise
squelch verb
To inhibit or suppress
squirm verb
To wriggle or twist the body from side to side, especially as a result of nervousness or discomfort
squish verb
The act of crushing something that is soft
spree noun
A spell or sustained period of unrestrained activity of a particular kind
squalor noun
A state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect
spoof nounverb
verb
Imitate (something) while exaggerating its characteristic features for comic effect
sprawl nounverb
verb
Sit, lie, or fall with one's arms and legs spread out in an ungainly or awkward way
squiggle nounverb
verb
To make small movements, to wriggle or squirm
squint nounverb
verb
Look at someone or something with one or both eyes partly closed in an attempt to see more clearly or as a reaction to strong light
spunky adjective
Courageous and determined
spry adjective
(especially of an old person) active; lively
squalid adjective
(of a place) extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect
squeamish adjective
(of a person) easily made to feel sick, faint, or disgusted, especially by unpleasant images, such as the sight of blood
squat verb
To crouch or sit with one's knees bent and one's heels close to or touching one's buttocks or the back of one's thighs
squirt nounverb
verb
Cause (a liquid) to be ejected from a small opening in something in a thin, fast stream or jet
squeak nounverb
verb
Make a high-pitched sound or cry
squeal nounverb
verb
Make a long, high-pitched cry or noise
sprinkle nounverb
verb
Scatter or pour small drops or particles of a substance over (an object or surface)
spooky adjective
An eerie or ghostly atmosphere that causes feelings of fear.
stamina noun
The ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort
spurt nounverb
noun
A sudden and forceful gush of water.
sprout nounverb
verb
(of a plant) put forth shoots
stagger verb
To walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall
stampede verb
A sudden panicked rush of a number of horses, cattle, or other animals
stagnate adjective
Cease developing; become inactive or dull
staid adjective
Sedate, respectable, and unadventurous
stammer verb
To speak with sudden involuntary pauses and with a tendency to repeat the initial letters of words
stagnant adjective
Showing no activity; dull and sluggish
spurious adjective
False and incorrect
sprawling adjective
Spread out over a large area.
spontaneous adjective
Happening extremely quickly, starting in a single moment
spotty adjective
Having a poor and inconsistent performance record.
squawk nounverb
noun
A loud, harsh or discordant noise made by a bird or a person
spoof nounverb
noun
A humorous imitation of something, typically a film or a particular genre of film, in which its characteristic features are exaggerated for comic effect
sprawl nounverb
noun
An ungainly or carelessly relaxed position in which one's arms and legs are spread out
squiggle nounverb
noun
A short line that curls and loops in an irregular way
squint nounverb
noun
An act or instance of squinting
squirt nounverb
noun
A thin stream or small quantity of liquid ejected from something
squeak nounverb
noun
A short, high-pitched sound or cry
squeal nounverb
noun
A long, high-pitched cry or noise
sprinkle nounverb
noun
A small quantity or amount of something scattered over an object or surface
sprout nounverb
noun
A shoot of a plant
sporadic adjective
Occurring occasionally or in scattered instances.
sprint nounverb
noun
A short race at full speed, usually over a short distance; or a burst of speed or effort for a brief period.
sprint nounverb
verb
To run or go at top speed especially for a short distance
spurt nounverb
verb
To flow out suddenly and forcefully, often in a stream.
squash verb
To suppress or stop something forcefully, like an idea or protest.
squeeze verb
To force something into a small or tight space by manipulating its form.
stabilize verb
To bring a situation, condition, or system under control.
staggering adjective
Causing great surprise or disbelief due to something unexpected or extreme.
standoffish adjective
Unfriendly or distant in behavior, often seeming cold or aloof.
standstill noun
A halt in activity, usually temporary but total.
stalemate noun
A deadlock or standoff where neither side can win or gain an advantage.
spotlight verb
To give special attention to a problem or situation so that people pay attention to it.
spontaneous adjective
Happening suddenly without an apparent external cause.