AP Lang Vocab List A

Abate (v.)

To decrease in force or intensity

Acumen (n.)

Clarity of mind; discernment in practical decision-making

Ascertain (v.)

To find out or learn with certainty

Bombastic (adj.)

Speech or writing that is given exaggerated, artificial, empty importance; overblown and pompous

Brusque (adj.)

Short and abrupt; sometimes to the point of harshness and bluntness

Cacophony (n.)

Harsh or jarring sound; a chaotic mixture

Censure (n. v.)

N. A condemning judgement. V. To find fault and criticize as blameworthy

Cogent (adj.)

Appealing forcibly to the mind or reason; Compelling and convincing

Commensurate (adj.)

Corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree; equal in measure

Curtail (v.)

To make less by cutting off or away some part; to shorten to the point of incompleteness

Deference (n.)

Respect and esteem to a superior or elder

Disparage (v.)

To belittle the importance or value of something; to lower in rank or reputation

Dubious (adj.)

Unsettled in opinion; of doubtful outcome; questionable as to true nature

Efficacy (n.)

The power to produce a result or effect; measure of how efficient something is

Egregious (adj.)

Very noticeable; glaringly bad

Enumerate (v.)

To ascertain the number of; count

Exhort (v.)

To urge strongly; to incite with argument or advice

Extraneous (adj.)

Existing on or coming from the outside; external, sometimes irrelevant

Frenetic (adj)

Describing fast, energetic, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity

Grandiose (adj.)

Absurd exaggeration showing splendor and grandeur; impressive because of uncommon largeness and scope

Implicit (adj.)

Capable of being understood without being clearly or directly stated; implied

Inane (adj.)

Lacking significance and meaning; silly

Incendiary (adj.)

Tending to excite or inflame; extremely hot; provocative and stirring quarrels

Intransigent (adj.)

Describing refusal to compromise or abandon one’s extreme position; uncompromising

Multifarious (adj.)

Having great variety; diverse

Nascent (adj.)

Having recently come into existence; budding

Nebulous (adj.)

Resembling a nebula; indistinct, vague, ambiguous

Oration (n.)

An elaborate discourse delivered in a formal and dignified manner; speech

Ostracize (v.)

To exile and exclude from a group; shun

Prescient (adj.)

Having foreknowledge and foresight; having good judgement for future impacts

Propriety (n.)

The state of being proper or suitable; socially acceptable; appropriateness

Prosaic (adj.)

Ordinary and everyday; like prose, not poetry

Rhapsodize (v.)

To speak or write in an extravagantly emotional manner; to rave and enthuse about something

Rife (adj.)

Prevalent especially to an increasing degree, often unpleasant; bursting and swarmed with

Vacillate

To sway between options; hesitate