Words Starting With "S"

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Shows

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To show, to display, or to present something, often in an exhibition or demonstration. <br><br>Example: "The museum will show the new art exhibit next week."<br><br>To display one's skills or talents, often in a particular activity or field. <br><br>Example: "She loves to show off her dancing skills on stage."<br><br>To indicate or signal something, often by using a sign or a gesture. <br><br>Example: "The road sign will show you the way to the nearest hotel."<br><br>To demonstrate or explain something, often in a clear and vivid way. <br><br>Example: "The teacher will show us how to solve the math problem."

Showtime

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The phrase "showtime" refers to the moment when a performance, event, or entertainment is about to begin or is currently taking place. It can also imply that the key or most exciting part of something is happening or is about to happen.<br><br>For example, "The lights are dimming and the music is starting, it's showtime!" <br><br>In a broader context, "showtime" can also refer to a critical moment or peak in a situation, often marking a turning point or an intense period.

Showy

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Adjective: Attracting attention and admiration because of being impressive in appearance or skill.<br><br>Example: The showy flower arrangement drew a lot of attention at the party.

Shrank

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Past tense of "shrink". The word "shrank" means to become smaller in size, or to make something smaller in size.

Shrapnel

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Shrapnel refers to the fragments of metal that are fired from a shell, bomb, or other explosive device, and are designed to penetrate and cause damage to objects or people on impact. These fragments are called "schrapnel" in honor of General Henry Shrapnel, who developed the first type of explosive shell in the late 18th century.<br><br>In a more general sense, shrapnel can also refer to the remains or pieces of something that has been broken or fragmented, such as a shattered car windshield or a broken crystal glass.

Shred

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To tear or cut into long thin pieces, typically in a rough or jagged way, often along the grain of something.<br><br>Example: "Shred the paper into strips to make confetti."<br><br>It can also refer to a thin slice of something, typically a type of food.<br><br>Example: "The chef served me a juicy shred of beef in my salad."<br><br>Lastly, in music, to shred means to play a passage of notes or chords rapidly and in a technically difficult way, often in a guitar solo.<br><br>Example: "The guitarist shredded through the complex solo in the epic rock ballad."<br><br>In a digital context, to shred also means to completely erase or delete data, often referred to in computer terminology.<br><br>Example: "I shredded the document to clear some space on my computer."

Shredded

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Shredded can be an adjective or a verb.<br><br>Adjective:<br>- torn or cut into thin strips or shreds<br>- of a shape resembling strips of shreds<br>- cut into fine, uneven pieces, like shredded cheese or paper<br><br>Verb:<br>- to tear or cut something into thin strips or shreds<br>- to obliterate or erase something, especially a document or information

Shredder

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A person or thing that cuts up or reduces something into fragments or shreds, typically by tearing or cutting it.<br><br>It can also be used figuratively to describe a process of analysing something apart and separating it into component parts, often in order to understand it better.<br><br>In a different context, it may also refer to a machine that cuts paper or other materials into strips or fragments.<br><br>For example:<br><br> "The paper shredder was used to destroy the confidential documents."<br> "She thoughtfully shredded her old relationship into tiny pieces to understand what went wrong."

Shredders

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Shredders are machines or devices that tear or cut materials into small, narrow pieces, often into confetti or strips, in a process called shredding. They are commonly used for:<br><br> Recycling paper and other paper-based products<br> Securely destroying sensitive documents, such as financial records or personal data<br> Cutting weeds or branches in gardening or landscaping<br> Creating confetti or decorative strips for crafts or celebrations<br><br>In some contexts, the term "shredder" can also refer to a machine that grinds or crushes materials, such as food waste or kitchen scraps, into a pulp or fine particles.<br><br>Additionally, a shredder can also refer to a term used in video games and esports, particularly in the popular game League of Legends, where players can earn or buy "shredders" - items or equipment that increase their damage output.

Shredding

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To tear or cut something into long, thin strips or pieces, often by pulling or snipping it. <br><br>Example: She began shredding the old documents to dispose of them securely.

Shreds

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Small pieces or fragments of something, often broken or torn into strips.

Shrek

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"Shrek" is a fictional character, a large and intimidating ogre, who is the main protagonist in a series of children's movies. He is known for his green skin, Scottish accent, and grumpy personality. The name "Shrek" is a combination of the word "shriver," a Scots word for "to shake" or "to tremble," and "-rek," a Goofy-sounding suffix.<br><br>In the movie, Shrek is a solitary being who lives in a swamp in a swampy part of the kingdom, preferring to be left alone. However, he gets into various adventures, including befriending Donkey and Princess Fiona, and embarking on a quest to rescue the princess from her tower and save the kingdom from various fairy tale creatures.<br><br>The character of Shrek has become a cultural icon, symbolizing the theme of "being different" and the idea that what makes us unique is what makes us special.

Shreveport

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Shreveport is the third-largest city in Louisiana and is the seat of Caddo Parish in the northwestern part of the state in the United States.<br><br>Economically, the city often ranks highly in cost of living indexes. As of 2020, Shreveport was listed as the 44th most expensive city to live in the United States among the 280 cities compared with a national average of 100.[citation needed] The cost of living index of 94 was above the national average of 100.

Shrew

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A shrew is a small, usually insect-eating mammal related to moles and hedgehogs. It is characterized by its sharp teeth and powerful jaws, as well as its energetic and aggressive behavior.<br><br>The term "shrew" can also be used figuratively to describe someone or something that is clever, sharp-tongued, and fiercely assertive.

Shrewd

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Synonyms: cunning, astute, clever, smart, sagacious, perceptive.<br><br>Antonyms: naive, gullible, foolish, uninformed, unaware.<br><br>In modern usage, "shrewd" is often used to describe someone who is highly intelligent, perceptive, and able to make informed decisions.<br><br>Example sentences:<br><br> She was a shrewd businesswoman who always made smart investments.<br> He was a shrewd observer of human behavior and was able to read people well.

Shrewder

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Sharp and clever in a way that is not necessarily good or admirable: a shrewder business opportunity.

Shrewdest

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Most clever and sensible; highly perceptive.

Shrewdly

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Having or showing a clever and cunning approach or perspective. The ability to notice, understand, and make sensible decisions based on a discerning or perceptive sense, but also being skilled at obtaining money or advantage unscrupulously.

Shrewdness

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Shrewdness refers to the quality of being clever, cunning, and wise, often in a way that involves seeing and taking advantage of opportunities or exploiting the weaknesses of others. It involves being astute, perceptive, and able to make informed decisions based on a deep understanding of situations and people.

Shrewish

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Shrewish refers to words, behavior, or characteristics that are excessively sharp, cutting, and critical, often in a sharp-witted or acid way.

Shrewishness

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Shrewishness refers to a woman's sharp, nagging, and critical behavior, often characterized by faultfinding, scolding, or quarreling. It is often associated with the stereotype of an ill-tempered or nagging wife or partner. The word typically carries a negative connotation, implying a petty, querulous, and scolding nature.

Shrews

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Small, insectivorous mammals of the family Soricidae, typically having short legs, a pointed snout, and a loud, high-pitched call.

Shrewsbury

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Shrewsbury is a town in Shropshire, England. The name "Shrewsbury" comes from the river Severn, a major river in the area. It was originally known as Scrobbesburh or Scrobbesbyrig in Old English, meaning "place at the mouth of the Severn River".<br><br>In a figurative sense, a Shrewsbury is also defined as a type of clock face with Roman numerals where the top hour hand (hour numeral I) is square-shaped.<br><br>A Shrewsbury can also be used to describe someone or something from the town of Shrewsbury or having a connection to it.<br><br>The term "Shrewsbury" is also associated with a Hardy plant, Shrewsbury, also known as Polygonum lapathifolium, is a perennial herb with white flowers.

Shriek

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A loud, high-pitched scream, often of shock, fear, or pain.<br><br>Example: "She let out a shriek when she saw the spider."

Shrieked

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To shrieked means to scream or utter a loud, high-pitched cry, often in shock, fear, or extreme excitement. It can also mean to shout loudly or to make a strident or piercing noise.

Shrieking

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The word "shrieking" is a verb that means making a high-pitched, loud, and often urgent or frightened cry or sound, frequently with a wailing quality. It can also describe a sound or noise that is similar to a human scream or howl, but not necessarily made by a human.<br><br>Example: "The woman was shrieking with pain as she gave birth."

Shrieks

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Shrieks refer to loud, high-pitched cries or screams, often used to express shock, fear, or agony. It can also describe the sharp, piercing sound itself.

Shrieve

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The word "shrieve" is a rather uncommon and archaic term. In Old English, it meant "to atone" or "to pardon." It is derived from the Old English word "sceerian," which is related to the verb "sceor," meaning "to make amends" or "to reconcile."<br><br>In modern usage, the word "shrieve" can also refer to a priest who absolves or pardons sins, especially in a sacramental context. The term is often associated with the Church of England and other Christian traditions that use the Book of Common Prayer.<br><br>In summary, the word "shrieve" essentially means to forgive, pardon, or reconcile someone or something for past wrongdoing or sin.

Shrift

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The word "shrift" is a noun which refers to a written record or acknowledgment of a prisoner's sins or wrongdoings, especially one that is obtained as a prerequisite to receiving absolution or forgiveness. It is a formal declaration of guilt and contrition, often made in preparation for a sacrament like Confession in the Catholic Church.

Shrike

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A bird of prey with a distinctive call that captures insects and small animals by catching them with its hooked beak. It is often associated with a sinister or intimidating presence. The word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone or something that catches or criticizes people unexpectedly or severely.

Shrikes

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A shrike is a type of small to medium-sized passerine bird that belongs to the family Laniidae. There are about 30 different species of shrikes that can be found in various parts of the world. Shrikes are known for their distinctive hunting behavior, in which they impale their prey, such as insects, small mammals, and birds, on thorns or barbed wire to eat later.<br><br>Shrikes are typically characterized by their distinctive appearance, which includes a distinctive crest or forehead, and a loud, melodic song. They are generally found in open areas, such as fields and woodlands, and are known for their aggressive behavior, particularly in defending their territory.<br><br>It's worth noting that the word "shrike" can also be used in certain idiomatic expressions, such as "shrike one's gorge," which means to gorge oneself to excess, or "to shrike out off," which means to hang or file away like a nail shrike would impale its prey.

Shrill

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Loud and high-pitched, often unpleasantly so. Example: "The shrill whistle pierced the air."

Shrilled

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Shrilled refers to a high-pitched sound, often used to describe a loud, sharp, or piercing voice or cry. It can also describe a noisy, harsh quality, like the sound of a peepers (bullfrog) calling at night or a high-pitched screaming.

Shriller

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More piercing or shrill in sound: a shriller tone.<br><br>Example: The musician adjusted the pitch to make her voice shriller.

Shrillest

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The adjective "shrillest" is the superlative form of the word "shrill", which means:<br><br>1. Extremely loud and sharp, often in a way that is unpleasant or piercing.<br>2. Having a sharp, clear, and often unpleasant sound, like the sound of a squeaky gate, a whistle, or a scream.<br><br>Example sentences:<br><br> The shrillest sound is the whistle that signals the beginning of a concert.<br> Her voice is shrillest among all the singers in the choir.<br><br>In general, "shrillest" is used to describe something that has the highest degree of shrillness or loudness, whether it's a sound, a voice, or even an accent.

Shrilling

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Shrilling means making a loud, high-pitched, and harsh sound, often unpleasantly loud and piercing. It can also be used to describe a sound that is very loud and sharply piercing, like the sound of a bird such as an owl or a hawk.