This page gathers the 5,691 dictionary entries of which at least one sense is labelled “Figuratively” by Wiktionary. The definition shown is that sense; each word leads to its full entry. Page 43 of 57: from “scarecrow” to “shadowbox”.
- scarecrow noun Anything that appears terrifying but presents no danger; a paper tiger.
- scaredy pants noun A notional pair of trousers or underwear worn by someone when acting cowardly.
- scarify verb To harrow the feelings.
- scarlet letter noun A highly visible stigma.
- scathe verb To severely hurt (someone's feelings, soul, etc., or something intangible) through acts, words spoken, etc.
- scent verb To have a suspicion of; to detect the possibility of (something).
- sceptre verb To invest with royal power.
- schizoid adj Behaving as if one has more than one personality; wildly changeable or unpredictable.
- schizophrenia noun Any condition in which disparate or mutually exclusive activities coexist; a lack of decision between options.
- schmaltz noun Excessively sentimental art or music.
- schoolboy adj Characteristic of a schoolboy, especially being cheeky, clumsy and socially unaware.
- schoolmaster noun Anything that teaches.
- scintilla noun A small or trace amount.
- scintillating adj Brilliantly or impressively clever, exciting, amusing or witty.
- scintillation noun A brief expression that is amusing or clever; witticism.
- scissoring noun An act or instance of cutting (removing) with or as if with scissors, especially an act of cutting and censoring a film.
- scitament noun A witty conversation.
- sclerosed adj Hardened; fixed; inflexible; tough.
- sclerotic adj Hard and insular; resistant to change.
- scorched-earth policy noun An intentional course of action that is drastic or ruinous.
- score points verb To outdo (someone) in an argument, especially by pandering or rhetorical convenience.
- scorecard noun A system of ratings.
- scorpion noun A very spiteful or vindictive person.
- scotoma noun A weakness of the mind's perception, cognition, or world view, causing it to ignore some aspects of reality.
- scour out verb To eliminate using a lot of effort
- scourge noun A person or thing regarded as an agent of divine punishment.
- Scout's honor intj Making a promise or oath.
- scrapheap noun A collection of discarded or rejected items or ideas.
- scream verb To cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, or shrill, loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to screech, to shriek.
- screech verb To travel very fast, as if making the sound of a car that is driving too fast.
- screed verb To read or repeat from memory fluently or glibly; to reel off.
- screen verb To filter.
- screen out verb To exclude selectively.
- scrofulous adj Having an unkempt, unhealthy appearance.
- Scrooge McDuck verb To revel in ones wealth and success.
- scrub verb To be diligent and penurious
- scrub down verb To reduce a budget, especially by removing inefficiencies and redundant spending; to lower spending to the minimum necessary.
- scurf noun The foul remains of anything adherent.
- scurvy noun A contemptible or despicable person.
- scythe verb To attack or injure as if cutting.
- sea noun Anything resembling the vastness or turbulence of the sea in mass, size or quantity.
- seal noun Confirmation or approval, or an indication of this.
- seam noun A line of junction; a joint.
- sear verb To make callous or insensible.
- searing adj unbearably intense or emotionally powerful
- searingly adv Harshly; mercilessly.
- seasoning noun Anything added to increase enjoyment.
- seat noun A membership in an organization, particularly a representative body.
- second gear noun Mediocre, sluggish performance.
- secondhand adj Indirect; from a secondary source; not firsthand.
- secret handshake noun Any shibboleth or distinguishing sign.
- secret recipe noun Synonym of secret sauce (“secret idea or plan; crucial element for success”).
- secret sauce noun A secret idea or plan; a crucial element of something that makes it unique or functional.
- secrete verb To exude or yield.
- security blanket noun Any object that gives one a sense of security or alleviates one’s anxiety.
- see verb To understand.
- see stars verb To be reeling immediately after a sudden misfortune analogous to a blow.
- see the glass half-empty verb To focus on what one does not have instead of what one has; to focus on the negative aspects of a situation; to adopt a pessimistic…
- see the glass half-full verb To focus on what one has instead of what one does not have; to focus on the positive aspects of a situation; to adopt an optimistic…
- seed noun A precursor.
- seed stock noun Any source of new (notably young) individuals, especially those used for breeding
- seedbed noun A place conducive to development and attainment.
- seedful adj Rich in promise.
- seedplot noun The place where something originates.
- seedtime noun A time for new development.
- seedy adj Shabby, run-down, possibly connected with bad, dishonest or illegal activities, somewhat disreputable.
- seep verb To enter or penetrate slowly; to spread or diffuse.
- seesaw adj Fluctuating.
- seethe noun A state of boiling or frothing; ebullition, seething; hence, extreme heat; much activity.
- seismic adj Of very large or widespread effect.
- seize up verb To stop functioning; to come to a halt.
- self-destruct verb To destroy oneself or itself.
- self-immolation noun The act of self-sacrificing oneself, in any manner of ways.
- self-luminous adj Prominent or famous for virtue or greatness.
- sell noun The promotion of an idea for acceptance.
- sell out verb To commit or abandon oneself entirely (to a cause, a team, etc.).
- sellsword noun Someone who only works for money, in the manner of a mercenary.
- Selma noun A confrontation where authorities brutally repress those wanting civil rights, similar to Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama.
- semaphore verb To signal using, or as if using, a semaphore, with the implication that it is done nonverbally.
- semination noun The act of sowing or spreading.
- send back verb To remind (someone) of a previous time in the past.
- senior hurling noun serious, difficult, important business; hardball
- sensation noun A remarkable person.
- sensorium noun The brain or mind in relation to the senses.
- serfish adj like a serf, slavish
- serpent noun A subtle, treacherous, malicious person.
- set noun General movement; direction; drift; tendency.
- set alight verb To arouse passion in (someone); to excite.
- set dressing noun Anything that sits in the background to establish mood and visual context.
- set fire to verb To destroy or dismantle (something).
- set on fire verb To arouse passionate feelings in.
- set sail verb To do the analogous counterpart on a vessel with any other means of propulsion, such as steaming.
- set the table verb To make a future outcome possible.
- seventh heaven noun A state of great joy and satisfaction.
- sew up verb To bring a matter to a full conclusion that deals with all outstanding issues or other concerns.
- shabby adj Of a person, their behaviour, etc.: despicable, mean; also, not generous; stingy, tight-fisted.
- shackle verb To inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something); to render (someone or something) incapable or…
- shade noun A subtle variation in a concept.
- shadow noun That which looms as though a shadow.
- shadowbox verb To argue with an imaginary enemy.