Vocabulary Word List, AP Literature and Composition

Epitomize

To represent or be a perfect example of something.

Irascible

Easily angered; quick-tempered.

Malign

To speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.

Rancor

Bitter, long-lasting resentment.

Rejuvenate

To make someone or something look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively.

Rue

To bitterly regret something one has done or allowed to happen.

Temper

To moderate or mitigate something; also refers to a person's state of mind or emotions.

Sanction

Official permission or approval for an action; can also mean a penalty for disobeying a law or rule.

Surreptitious

Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.

Vacillate

To alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; to be indecisive.

Fervent

Having or displaying a passionate intensity.

Illustrious

Well known, respected, and admired for past achievements.

Exalt

To hold (someone or something) in very high regard; think or speak very highly of.

Ignoble

Not honorable in character or purpose.

Homage

Special honor or respect shown publicly.

Hallowed

Made holy; consecrated.

Aegis

The protection, backing, or support of a particular person or organization.

Sanctity

The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly.

Irreverence

A lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously.

Immutable

Unchanging over time or unable to be changed.

Whimsical

Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way.

Pensive

Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought.

Jocular

Fond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful.

Morose

Sullen and ill-tempered.

Lucid

Expressed clearly; easy to understand.

Deprecate

To express disapproval of.

Bereft

Deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material asset.

Misanthropic

Disliking humankind and avoiding human society.

Genteel

Polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or ostentatious way.

Nonchalant

Feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm.

Venerate

To regard with great respect; revere.

Censure

Express severe disapproval of (someone or something), typically in a formal statement.

Fastidious

Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.

Feign

Pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury).

Congenial

Pleasant because of a personality, qualities, or interests that are similar to one's own.

Fetters

A chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles.

Requite

To return a favor or respond to love, affection, or kindness.

Unrequited

Not returned or rewarded.

Assuage

Make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense.

Transcend

Be or go beyond the range or limits of (something abstract, typically a conceptual field or division).

Idyllic

Extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque.

Efface

To erase (a mark) from a surface; to make oneself appear insignificant or inconspicuous.

Bygone

Belonging to an earlier time.

Sardonic

Grimly mocking or cynical.

Pretext

A reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time.

Mercurial

Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.

Beguile

Charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way.

Lofty

Of imposing height.

Underscore

To underline (something); to emphasize.

Discursiveness

Moving from topic to topic without order; rambling.

Brevity

Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.

Ardor

Enthusiasm or passion.

Terse

Sparing in the use of words; abrupt.

Pique

A feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one's pride.

Doting

Extremely and uncritically fond of someone; adoring.

Pragmatic

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.

Mundane

Lacking interest or excitement; dull.

Bemused

Puzzled, confused, or bewildered.

Lament

A passionate expression of grief or sorrow.

Exhort

Strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something.

Perseverate

Repeat or prolong an action, thought, or utterance after the stimulus that prompted it has ceased.

Ambivalence

The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

Emanate

To come out from a source.

Ennui

A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.

Petulant

Childishly sulky or bad-tempered.

Garrulous

Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.

Innocuous

Not harmful or offensive.

Languor

The state or feeling, often pleasant, of tiredness or inertia.

Querulous

Complaining in a petulant or whining manner.

Repudiate

Refuse to accept or be associated with.

Undermine

To erode the base or foundation of (something) or to weaken gradually or insidiously.

Blithe

Showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper.

Frugal

Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.

Inane

Silly; stupid.