AP Lang Vocab

All vocabulary that will be on AP Lang weekly vocab quizzes.

mercurial

characterized by rapid and unpredictable change in mood

braggadocio

empty boasting; bragging; a boasting person; braggart.

harbinger

an omen or sign

censure

receives a formal statement about something they have done that is disapproved of

ommission

to leave something out

recalcitrant

stubbornly disobedient, resisting authority

pernicious

having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

stalwart

loyal, reliable, and hardworking

myriad

a very large number

ephemeral

short-lived

affable

friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to

surfeit

an excessive amount

agile

able to move quickly and easily

ply

Artisans or professionals ply the tools of their trade, using them repeatedly or rhythmically.

flout

to mock, treat with contempt

flaunt

to show off

upbraid

to scold

Sisyphean

Requiring endless effort; without result or success

purloined

stolen

Ergonomics

The study of workplace equipment design or how to arrange and design devices, machines, or workspace so that people and things interact safely and most efficiently.

penury

extreme poverty

invigorate

to fill with strength and energy

daunting

intimidating, causing one to lose courage

reassurance

a restoring of confidence

hysteria

exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement, especially among a group of people.

jocular

humorous, jesting, jolly, joking

providential

happening by good fortune; well timed

stagnant

not moving

cohabitate

to live together

candid

Completely honest, straightforward

expound

to explain in detail

baffle

to confuse

insatiable

so great or demanding as not to be satisfied

systemic

of or pertaining to the entire body; relating to a system or systems

denounce

to condemn openly

magnanimous

generous

sympathy

feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune

empathy

the ability to understand and share the feelings of another

ebb

recede or decrease

erstwhile

describes things that are one-time, former, or of old times

sentient

complex; capable of perceiving or feeling emotion

congenial

pleasant or agreeable

putative

generally considered or reputed to be a certain way

infiltrate

secretly and gradually get into it or gain access to

elucidate

make clear

indispensable

can’t do without

delirious

confused/incoherent/restless state of mind

rebuke

express strong disapproval of

unctuous

flattering to someone in an excessive way

chagrin

something that causes you embarrassment often for having failed or having been humiliated

neophyte

one who is new to something

piteous

deserving of pity

sinuous

has many curves and turn

deft

demonstrating quickness and skill

extort

try and get through forceful, threatening, or unfair means

covet

strong desire and want for something

vehement

show strong feelings and passion about

decant

pour a liquid from one container to another to leave behind any sediment or precipitate.

baleful

threatens harm or is harmful

tribulation

experience great suffering

obstruct

to block

trump

beats its competition

evade

escape from or avoid

regimen

routine

incarcerate

to imprison or confine

demented

medical: one who suffers from dementia

informal: behave irrationally

evince

reveals that feeling or quality

imperious

Arrogantly domineering or overbearing; dictatorial.

titter

a short laugh almost like a giggle 

homage

to honor or show respect publicly

impeccable

Flawless or perfect. Can be used in the sense of behavior, performance, or appearance.

pundit

An expert in a field who gives advice to the public.

incriminate

to make someone appear guilty of something

incongruent

not the same, something that doesn't fit .

sardonic

grimly mocking or cynical

paradigm

a pattern, model, or template.

exhume

to dig out (something buried, especially a corpse) from the ground

Malaise

An unidentifiable illness or feeling of discomfort

Malign

To speak about in a critical manner

Malcontent

one who bears a grudge from a sense of grievance or thwarted ambition, rebellious

Malady

a disease or sickness

Malodorous

something that smells unpleasant

Malevolent

Someone who is malevolent commits evil actions

Malfeasance

wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public official

Mitigate

to cause to become less harsh or hostile.

Malignant

Very invasive, infectious or of bad intentions, usually referring to a disease

Benign

gentle; kindly. (in terms of medicine) not harmful in effect

Malefactor

One who commits an offense against the law

Malapropism

unintenionally replacing a word with a similar word. Ex. The flood damagee was so bad they had to evaporate the city. "evacuate"

Benevolent

Kind; meaning well. Someone who is benevolent is caring and compationate.

Maladroit

a word to describe someone who is clumsy or uncoordinated

Benediciton

Usually, a short blessing, prayer or request for help or divine intervention. It can also be used more generally when saying good wishes to someone.

benefactor

A person or organization who gives money to support a cause

blithely

without thinking or regard, in a carefree way

circumspect

unwilling or wary of taking a risk

debacle

An event that goes wrong, a mess.

disinterested

1. neutral, no personal stakes in something

2. not interested

dossier

A file on someone or a collection of documents about someone.

fulsome

1. Excessively complimentary/flattering

2. Abundant

guileful

Deceitful, cunning