AP Lang Vocab

Intuitive

using/based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning

Insolent

showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect

Incisive

intelligently analytical and clear thinking. Accurate and sharply focused

Inane

Silly, stupid

Abhor

Regard with disgust and hatred

Assiduous

showing great care and perseverance

Adulation

extreme flattery, excessive admiration or praise

Conciliatory

intended or likely to placate or pacify

Contemptuous

seeing something as unworthy; scornful

Contentious

causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial

Cynical

believing people are motivated purely by self-interest’ distrustful of sincerity

demagogue

a political leader sho seeks support by appealing to the desires of ordinary people rather than using rational argument

Derisive

**expressing contempt or ridicule**

Diffident

modest or shy because of a lack of self confidence

Digression

a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing

Disdain

the feeling that something is unworthy of one’s consideration or respect

Effusive

expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained, or heartfelt manner

Elicit

evoke or draw out a response from someone in reaction to one’s own actions/questions

Eloquent

fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing

Emulate

match or surpass a person or achievement typically by imitation

Ephemeral

lasting for a very short time

Facetious

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant

Flippant

not showing a serious or respectful attitude

Impute

represent something undesirable as being done/possessed by someone

Laudatory

expressing praise and commendation

Lofty

of imposing height

Ludicrous

so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing

Nonchalant

feeling or appearing casually calm and collected/relaxed

Pedantic

excessively concerned with minor details and roles, or with displaying academic learning

Poignant

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret

Provocative

causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction deliberately

Rancorous

characterized by bitterness or resentment

Restrained

characterized by reserve or moderation; unemotional or dispassionate

Risible

such as to provoke laughter

Sardonic

grimly mocking or cynical

Self deprecating

modest about or critical of oneself, especially humorously so

Wry

using.expressing dry, especially mocking humor

Expostulate

express strong disapproval or disagreement

Intercede

intervene on behalf of another

Simulate

imitate the appearance or character of

Aggrieved

feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated

Docile

ready to accept control or instruction; submissive

Jaded

tired, bored, lacking enthusiasm typically after having too much of something

Transcend

be or go beyond the range/limit (of usually something conceptual)

Meritorious

deserving reward or praise

Ambivalent

having mixed feelings/contradictory ideas about something

Patronizing

apparently kind/helpful but betraying a feeling of superiority; condescending

Callow

inexperienced and immature (young)

Ameliorate

to make something bad, better

Surmise

to suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it

Apathetic

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

Pensive

engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep/serious thought

Intrinsic

Belonging naturally; essential

Inveigh

speak or write about something with great hostility

Exhort

strongly encourage or urge someone to do something

Ardent

enthusiastic or passionate

Pragmatic

dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on practical rather than theoretical considerations

Vicarious

experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person

Cajole

persuade to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery

Corroborate

confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, finding)

Thwart

to prevent someone from accomplishing something

Nomenclature

the devising or choosing names for things in a particular field

Occult

supernatural/mystical/magical beliefs/practices/phenomena

\
or

\
To cut off from view by placing something in the way

Extenuating

of a factor or situation serving to lessen the seriousness of an offense

Torpid

mentally or physically inactive; lethargic

Soporific

Tending to induce drowsiness or sleep

Mitigate

make less severe, serious, or painful. Lessen the gravity of an offense or mistake

Conducive

Making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible

Slovenly

(usually personal appearance/action) messy, dirty, careless, excessively causal

Acrimonious

(typical of speech or debate) angry and bitter

Relegate

To consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position

Archetype

a very typical/original example of a certain person/thing. Recurrent symbol in literature or mythology.

Desist

cease/abstain to/from proceeding to act

Vapid

offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging

Covert

not openly acknowledged or displayed

Debonair

confident, stylish, and charming (usually of a man)

Bedlam

a scene of uproar and confusion

\
or

\
a mental institution

Accentuate

make noticeable/prominent

Monotonous

dull, tedious, repetitious. Lacking in variety and interest

Inadvertent

resulting from an accident/lack of deliberate planning

Amorphous

without a clearly defined shape or form. Lacking clear structure/focus

Austere

severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance. Unadorned, no luxuries

Equivocate

use ambiguous language to conceal the truth

Pernicious

having a harmful effect in a gradual, subtle way

Disseminate

spread (something, info) widely. Spread through an organ/body

Scintillating

sparkling or shining brightly. Brilliantly clever/skillful

Blatant

done openly and unashamedly. Lacking subtlety, obvious

Colloquial

used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary

Censure

express severe disapproval, especially in a formal setting

Strident

loud and harsh; grating. Presenting a controversial point of view in an excessively forceful way

Spurious

not being what it reports to be; false or fake. Apparently but not actually valid

Speculative

engaged in, expressing, or based on thoughts/opinions without full info, rather than knowledge. (Of an investment) involving a high risk of loss

Specious

superficially plausible/possible, but actually wrong

Vindicate

clear someone of blame or suspicion. Show or prove to be right, reasonable, or justified

Terse

sparing the use of words; abrupt

Superfluous

unnecessary, especially through being more than enough

Substantiate

provide evidence to support or prove the truth of

Vitriolic

filled with bitter criticism or malice

Frugal

sparing with regard to food or money. Simple, plain, costing little

Amicable

having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor