AP LANG VOCAB #1

enervate

to destroy the vigor of

cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality, weaken

exhaust, tire, fatigue, enfeeble

vilify

to speak ill of

speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner

defame, slander, disparage, malign, depreciate

carp

be niggling (petty) in criticizing

complain or find fault continually about trivial matters

complain, cavil, grumble, quibble, to nag

allay

to calm, to quiet

diminish or put at rest (fear, suspicion, or worry)

reduce, diminish, alleviate, ease, relieve, mitigate, assuage

inscrutable

so mysterious that it cannot be understood

impossible to understand or interpret

enigmatic, unreadable, impenetrable, mysterious, cryptic

tangential

merely touching, slightly connected

diverging from a previous course; erratic

beside the point, irrelevant, external, divergent/digressive

placid

not easily upset or excited (of person/animal)

even-tempered, calm, tranquil, imperturbable, calm/composed, peaceful, unruffled

perfunctory

performed merely as a routine duty

done without care, hasty, superficial, lacking care/interes/enthusiasm

action/gesture carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection

cursory, desultory, brief, hasty, fleeting

rancor

deep spite or malice

bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing

bitterness, spite, hate, resentment

virtuoso

a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit

genius, expert, maestro, specialist, prodigy, connoisseur

ex enervate

ex Strenuous dieting will __________ most people

ex vilify

ex The unscrupulous candidate withdrew from the race when his attempt to __________ his opponent backfired.

ex carp

ex Mothers often __________ about their teenagers’ messy rooms and unfinished chores.

ex allay

ex The recorded sounds of waterfalls and breaking waves is said to __________ stress.

ex inscrutable

ex We looked to Helen for a positive reaction, but her face was __________.

ex tangential

ex. Stick to the facts and don’t waste time on __________ issues.

ex placid

ex The meditation made the hyperactive child not only __________ but almost catatonic.

ex perfunctory

ex She gave a __________ little smile of dismissal.

ex rancor

ex Mr. President said he harbored no __________ against Congress for overriding his veto.

ex virtuoso

ex Even at an early age Carico showed the promise that would one day blossom into the talents of a piano __________.