AP English Vocabulary - 3rd Set

Provocative

Provocative

adj. tending to excite or stimulate SYN: provoking, exciting ANT: dull, boring

Bumpkin

n. an unsophisticated, awkward person SYN: yokel, hayseed, rube ANT: intellectual

Toady

n. a person who flatters for personal gain SYN: sycophant, flatterer

Hortatory

adj. encouraging, inciting SYN: exhorting ANT: discouraging, dampening

Penultimate

adj. next to last

Blithe

adj. carefree and lighthearted SYN: cheerful, radiant ANT: burdened, worried, troubled

Soporific

adj. tending to induce sleep SYN: somniferous, monotonous ANT: dramatic, exciting, stimulating

Pervasive

adj. permeating; spreading throughout SYN: sweeping, persistent ANT: contained, restricted, limited

Frenetic

adj. wildly excited SYN: frenzied, frantic ANT: calm, composed

Recrimination

n. a counter-accusation SYN: countercharge

Untenable

adj. impossible to defend or justify SYN: groundless, unsupported, indefensible ANT: sound, irrefutable

Veneer

n. a thin, attractive layer that conceals something common or coarse SYN: disguise, gloss, facade

Timorous

adj. timid SYN: bashful, sheepish, reticent ANT: bold, confident, courageous

Circuitous

adj. indirect, roundabout SYN: roundabout, meandering ANT: direct, straight

Perquisite

n. a tip or payment in addition to regular wages SYN: fringe benefit, perk, benefit

Probity

n. confirmed integrity; respectability SYN: rectitude, decency, trustworthiness ANT: wickedness, impiety

Polemical

adj. relating to controversy or argument SYN: controversial, contentious ANT: indisputable, agreeable

Largesse

n. generosity SYN: magnanimity, munificence ANT: stinginess

Indolent

adj. lazy SYN: torpid, idle, lethargic ANT: industrious, busy, productive

Depredate

v. to plunder and pillage SYN: pilfer, ransack, ravage ANT: donate, improve, enhance