AP English Language Vocab List 3

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Apologetic

showing regret or acknowledging fault

Audacious

bold, daring, or fearless (sometimes disrespectfully so)

Dogmatic

stubbornly asserting opinions as truth, often without consideration for others’ views

Evasive

deliberately vague or avoiding commitment or clear answers

Exuberant

full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness

Flippant

lacking proper seriousness; disrespectfully casual

Forthright

direct and honest in speech or manner

Grave

serious or solemn in manner or appearance

Incredulous

unwilling or unable to believe something; skeptical

Insipid

lacking in qualities that stimulate or challenge; dull or flat

Irreverent

showing a lack of respect for people or things generally taken seriously

Lighthearted

cheerful and carefree

Malicious

intending or intended to cause harm

Modest

unassuming or moderate in one’s abilities or achievements

Ominous

suggesting that something bad is going to happen; threatening

Poignant

painfully affecting the feelings; touching

Pompous

self-important, arrogant, and overly formal

Recalcitrant

resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant

Righteous

morally right or justifiable; acting with moral superiority

Sanguine

optimistic or hopeful, especially in a difficult situation

Sophomoric

immature and overconfident; lacking in maturity or judgment

Subdued

quiet, controlled, or lacking in intensity

Tender

showing gentleness and concern

Tranquil

peaceful, calm, and quiet

Vindictive

seeking revenge; having a strong desire to harm someone who has hurt you

Earnest

serious and sincere

Elegiac

mournful or reflective, often about something past or lost

Vexed

annoyed, frustrated, or worried

Melodramatic

exaggerated, overemotional, or overly theatrical