AP Lit Vocab 4

advocates

(v) to support or argue for (a cause, policy, etc.) : to plead in favor of

alleviates

(v) RELIEVE, LESSEN: to partially remove or correct (something undesirable)

ascertains

(v) to find out or learn with certainty

compels

(v) to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly

differentiates

(v) to mark or show a difference in : constitute a contrasting element that distinguishes

elucidates

(v) to make lucid (clear, apparent) especially by explanation or analysis

evinces

(v) to constitute outward evidence of, to display clearly : REVEAL

lambasts

(v) to attack verbally : CENSURE

manifests

(v) to make evident or certain by showing or displaying

vacillates

(v) to waver in mind, will, or feeling : hesitate in choice of opinions or courses

affable

(adj) being pleasant and at ease in talking to others, characterized by ease and friendliness

esoteric

(adj) requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group

guileless

(adj) INNOCENT, NAÏVE

heretical

(adj) of, relating to, or characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards :UNORTHODOX

nihilistic

(adj) a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless

pastoral

(adj) pleasingly peaceful and innocent : IDYLLIC, portraying or expressive of the life of shepherds or country people especially in an idealized and conventionalized manner

plausible

(adj) appearing worthy of belief

pompous

(adj) having or exhibiting self-importance : ARROGANT, excessively elevated

succinct

(adj) marked by compact precise expression without wasted words

vivacious

(adj) lively in temper, conduct, or spirit : SPRIGHTLY

advocates

Care managers can become _______ for their clients.

alleviate

The doctor tried to ______ her symptoms/suffering.

ascertain

They were unable to _______ the cause of the fire.

compel

A public-works agency can ______ you to sell your land.

differentiates

The thatched roof of this house ________ it from the other properties on the street.

elucidates

Haig went on to ________ his personal principle of war.

evinces

But this judgment ______ too much cynicism about American culture.

lambasts

The coach ______ the team for its poor play.

manifests

A disorder that usually ______ in middle age.

vacillates

The script _______ between comedy and soap opera.

affable

I admired his _______ charm and winning smile.

esoteric

Tt is written in an _______ style that few people will understand.

guileless

His smile was perfectly innocent and _________.

heretical

I do not think there is anything sinful or ________ about such beliefs.

nihilistic

Her poetry is some of the most self-absorbed and _______ work you'll ever see.

pastoral

The view was _______, with rolling fields and grazing sheep.

plausible

He sounded so _______, I was completely taken in.

pompous

He was somewhat _______ and had a high opinion of his own capabilities.

succinct

Aim to use ________ sentences that are to the point.

Vivacious

He was captivated by her ________ smile.