AP Lang Vocab Final

latent

present (as in quality or trait) but not visible or apparent; existing as potential

mayhem

needless or willful violence or damage

maelstrom

1. a powerful whirlpool in the sea or river

2. a situation or state of confused movement or violent turmoil

superfluous

unnecessary; overkill; excessive; wasteful

ameliorate

to make a bad situation better; to lessen the damage or destruction of a difficult situation

exacerbate

to make a bad situation worse

visceral

a feeling coming from deep inside (as opposed to your brain); an intense feeling coming from your gut.

ephemeral

lasting for a very short period of time (typically used to describe nature, something beautiful, or aesthetics

artifice

a cleaver or cunning method or strategy, especially as used to trick or deceive others

impunity

exemption from punishment; freedom from the injurious consequences of an action

lampoon

to publicly criticize someone or something by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm

bolster

to support or strengthen; to prop up

conduit

means or transmitting or disturbing, such as a channel or pipeline

vexation

the state of being annoyed or frustrated

conflate

to improperly combine two or more things ; to not properly differentiate

subversive

seeking to undermine, overthrow, or destroy (an established government, institution, authority, belief, etc.)

effrontery

impudence; nerve; insolence; rudeness; presumption; gall; audacity

deference

courteous regard for another’s wishes; respect for someone or something

veracity

integrity; accuracy; truthfulness

specious

superficially plausible, but actually wrong; misleadingly attractive (as in an idea/argument, not a person)

auspicious

being a sign of future success, marked by good omens; promising

clout

influence or power (especially in politics or business)

feckless

ineffective; incompetent

ubiquitous

present, appearing, or found everywhere

gratuitous

uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted

venerable

accorded (treated with) a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character

plethora

a large or excessive amount (of something)

dearth

a scarcity or lack (of something)

conviction

a fixed or firm belief

dormant

temporarily inactive or inoperative

acrimonious

angry or bitter (typically used to describe a speech or debate)

egregious

outstandingly bad; shocking

nonplussed

(of a person) surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react

zealous

1. showing or having great energy or enthusiasm pursuit of a cause or objective

2. marked by fervent partisanship (support to the extent of being biased) for a person, cause, or ideal

histrionic

overly dramatic or melodramatic, as in behavior designed to attract attention

irascible

having or showing a tendency to be easily angered

strident

1. loud and harsh; grating

2. presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively and unpleasantly forceful way

sagacity

foresight, discernment, or keen perception; ability to make good judgments; wisdom

exacting

1. rigid or severe in demands or requirements

2. requiring close application or attention

obtuse

not quick alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; insensitive or unobservant