AP lang vocab

hallow

regarded as holy or sacred

ephemeral

lasting for a very short time

ameliorate

to make something better or improve

explicit

stated clearly and in detail leaving no room for confusion

mores

the accepted traditional customs, values and behaviors of a society

ribald

referring to sexual matters in an amusing coarse or irreverent way

occult

relating to the mysterious supernatural or hidden

bombastic

high abounding but with little meaning, inflated

abate

to become less intense or widespread

culmination

the highest point (most decisive of something especially after a long period of time)

iniquitous

grossly unfair or morally wrong

portentous

giving a sign or warning that something (usually bad) will happen

austere

severe or strict in manner

culpable

deserving blame or guilt

magnanimous

generous forgiving especially towards rival or weaker person

penance

voluntary self punishment to show guilt for wrongdoing

foible

a minor flaw or weakness in character

hapless

unlucky, unfortunate

vagary

unpredictable change or action

rasping

harsh grating sound

propensity

a natural tendency to behave a certain way

innocuous

harmless, not offensive

cumbrous

heavy, clumsy, or difficult to handle

harangue

a lengthy, aggressive speech

subterfuge

deceit used to achieve someone’s goal

rococo

characterized by elaborate ornamentation, intricate detail, and lightness in style, often seen in art, architecture, or design

conclave

a private or secret meeting often for a specific purpose

importune

to beg persistently or urgently, to press with repeated requests

vapid

lacking liveliness, spirit, or flavor

expostulate

to reason earnestly with someone in an attempt to dissuade or correct them

abject

extremely bad unpleasant or degrading showing utter hopelessness or humiliation

chalice

a large cup or goblet often used in religious ceremonies

epithet

a descriptive word or phrase expressing a characteristic or quality sometimes used at an insult

expunge

to erase remove or eliminate completely

harbinger

a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something

malevolent

having or showing a desire to cause harm evil or malicious

motley

varied in appearance or character make up of diverse elements

pensive

deeply thoughtful often in a serious and melancholy way

raze

to destroy completely demolish or level to the ground

subvert

to undermine overthrow or weaken often an authority system or belief

avarice

extreme greed for wealth or material gain

brusque

abrupt or blunt in speech or manner sometimes to the point of rudeness

concur

to agree or be of the same opinion

cursory

harsh and superficial not detailed

droll

amusing in an odd whimsical or quirky way

inordinate

excessive unusually large disproportionate

rebut

to argue against contradict or prove something false

succinct

expressed briefly concise

timorous

shows fear nervousness or lack of confidence

veracity

truthfulness conformity to fact or accuracy

abstemious

moderate or restrained especially in eating or drinking

anomalous

deviating from what is normal

chauvinist

someone with an unreasonable belief in the superiority of their own usually sexist or nationalistic

dubious

doubtful suspicious questionable

haughty

arrogantly superior and disdainful

impugn

to challenge or attack as false or questionable

inscrutable

impossible to understand or interpret

precarious

uncertain risky or unstable

propitious

favorable giving or indicating a good chance of success

verbose

using more words than necessary

averse

having a strong dislike or opposition to something

dudgeon

a feeling of anger or resentment

equanimity

mental calmness and composure especially under stress

extenuate

to make an offense seem less serious or more forgivable

impunity

exemption from punishment or harm

lackadaisical

lacking enthusiasm and determination; lazy

onerous

burdensome, involving great effort and difficult

perfidy

betrayal of trust

vernacular

the language, dialect spoken by ordinary people, using every day language

wistful

showing a feeling of vague longing or regret

accolade

an award or honor granted as recognition for an achievement

antithesis

the direct opposite of something

diabolic

extremely wicked or evil

dulcet

sweet and soothing especially in sound

hedonist

a person who pursues pleasure as the highest good

manifest

clear or obvious to the eye and mind

myopic

short sighted lacking foresight and imagination

precedent

an earlier event or action that serves as an example or rule in future cases

rudimentary

basic elementary underdeveloped

wont

ones customary behavior or habit