AP Lang Vocab 3

ambivalent

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

ambiguous

open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations

capricious

governed or characterized by sudden irrational and unpredictable impulses or whims: impulsive

derisive

expressing or causing contemptuous ridicule or scorn: expressing or causing derision

ebullient

overflowing with enthusiasm or excitement: high spirited

farcical

ludicrous; absurd; humorous and highly improbable

eulogistic

of, or relating to, or characterized by eulogy: bestowing praise

histrionic

over the top dramatic

lyrical

having an artistically beautiful or expressive quality suggestive of song

irascible

easily provoked to anger; very irritable

pentinent

feeling or expressing sorrow, wrongdoing, or sin; repentant, contrite

oratorical

given to making speeches, pertaining to speech like quality

stolid

not easily stirred or moved mentally, unemotional

timorous

of a timid disposition; fearful

censorious

severely critical, faultfinding

irreverent

showing lack of respect or veneration

obsequious

overly obedient or submissive

vexed

irritated; annoyed

vacillate

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

didactic

intended to teach, especially in a way that is too determined or eager, and often fixed and unwilling to change

sagacious

having or showing an ability to understand difficult ideas and situations and to make good decisions: marked by keen and farsighted understanding and judgement

lugubrious

exaggerated or affectedly mournful; dismal

trite

hackneyed or boring from much use - not fresh or original

puerile

behaving in a silly way, not like an adult

catalyst

a person or thing that provokes or speeds significant change or action

pedestrian

commonplace, unimaginative