AP Vocab. List #2

2025 AP. Lang Vocabulary List #2

antithesis

the juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling or balance, the exact opposite

ascend

to move upward

austere

strict, stern, unadorned

autonomous

independent, self-contained

banal

obvious and dull

benign

not dangerous to health, pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence

capricious

determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

dawdle

to hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, to waste time, etc.

defamation

an abusive attack on a person’s character or good name

esoteric

confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner cirlce

exacerbate

make worse, aggravate

extol

praise, glorify, or honor

fastidious

giving and careful attention to detail, excessively worried about cleanliness

furtive

secret and sly or sordid

gregarious

seeking and enjoying the company of others

hypocrite

a person who professes belief and opinions that he does not hold

innate

present at birth but not necessarily hereditary

lethargic

deficient in alertness or activity, sluggish

melancholy

a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed

opaque

not clearly understood or expressed, not transparent

prolific

bearing in abundance especially offspring, intellectually productive

reprove

to scold in a mild way

symmetry

balance among the parts of something

tranquil

free from disturbance, calm

venerate

regard with feelings or respect and reverence