AP Vocab. List #1

2025 AP. Lang Vocabulary List #1

altruistic

(adj.) unselfish, concerned with the welfare of others

ambivalent

having mixed or opposing feelings at the same time

angular

lean, sharp cornered, gaunt

arrogant

(adj.) overbearing, proud, hauty

aversion

a strong dislike or disinclination

discern

(v.) to see clearly, recognize, to distinguish one thing from another

disdain

(n.) intense dislike; (v.) to treat with scorn or contempt

disparage

to degrade, to speak of someone or something in a derogatory manner

disparity

an inequality, a gap, an imbalance

embellish

to add ornamental or fictitious details

engender

to produce, cause, or bring about

innocuous

harmless, causing no damage

insipid

boring and stupid

lament

to express sorrow or regret, to mourn

laud

to give praise, to glorify

obscure

difficult to see or understand, partially hidden

ostentatious

(adj.) marked by conspicuous or pretentious display, showy

prodigal

(adj.) wastefully extravagant, lavishly or generously abundant; (n.) one who is wasteful and self-indulgent

repudiate

to disown, reject, or deny the validity of

reticence

restraint in speech, reluctance to speak

revere

to honor, to regard with respect

serene

calm, placid

subtle

difficult to detect, faint, mysterious, likely to elude perception

superfluous

exceeding what is sufficient or required, excess

taciturn

not taking much, reserved, silent, holding back in conversation

“When he gave that man his coat, it was an entirely ___ act.”

altruistic

≈ selfless, noble, compassionate
≠ malicious, selfish

altruistic

“Some love her, some hate her, the public’s opinion is typically ___ ambivalent about her.”

ambivalent

≈ indecisive, conflicting, opposing
≠ certain

ambivalent

“His chin is quite chiseled. That is to say, he has an ___ face.”

angular

≈ pointed, sharp-cornered, bony
≠ rounded, curvy, plump

angular

“He always assumes that he’s right and won’t take ‘no’ as an answer. He’s so ___, that’s why people avoid him.”

arrogant

≈ conceited, pompous, cocky
≠ humble, modest

arrogant

“I have an ___ to grapes. I just don’t like it.”

aversion

≈ disinclination, revulsion, avoidance
≠ liking, desire

aversion

“I could barely see in that dark room. I think she had brown hair, but it was hard for me to ___ her features.”

discern

≈ identify, determine, percieve
≠ overlook, confuse, miss

discern

“Frankly, she found him annoying. Thus, her brows tightened and her lip curled in ___.”

disdain

≈ contempt, scorn, dislike
≠ approval, liking, respect

disdain

“Despite being a prodigy, the one skill that he seemed to lack was humility. He never missed an opportunity to ___ others, regardless of if they were his peers or his competitors.”

disparage

≈ belittle, undermine, degrade
≠ flatter, compliment, praise

disparage

“The ___ between the rich and the poor was obvious.”

disparity

≈ difference, imbalance, gap
≠ similarity, equality, agreement

disparity

“He was obsessed with her, and as a result, often ___ the details of their interactions.”

embellish(ed)

≈ decorate, exaggerate, adorn
≠ decrease, deface, harm

embellish

“Your dreams may seem strange and meaningless, but they still ___ a strong sense of importance in you.”

engender

≈ arouse, incite, provoke
≠ calm, prevent, destroy

engender