AP English 12 Vocab 2022-23

dichotomy

n. a division of contrast between two things
syn: division, contrast
ant: coherence, cohesion, unity

catharsis

n. process of releasing strong emotion
syn: purging, releasing
ant: suppression

redemption

n. action of being saved from sin, error, or evil
syn: forgiveness, salvation
ant: sin, corruption

steadfast

adj. staying the same for a long time
syn: resistant, solid, stable
ant: changeable, capricious, mercurial

alacrity

n. a cheerful readiness
syn: enthusiasm, readiness
ant: indifference, apathy

perspicacious

adj. having a keen insight
syn: sagacious, sage
ant: dim-witted, obtuse

glean

v. to infer by using evidence
syn: infer, deduce

perspicuity

n. clarity and lucidity of meaning
syn: clarity, lucidity
ant: ambiguity, obfuscation

cogent

adj. clear, logical, convincing
syn: clear, logical, convincing
ant: confusing, unclear

affinity

n. a natural liking or ability for something
syn: ability, inclination
ant: dislike, aversion

levity

n. humor in a serious situation
syn: lightness, frivolity
ant: seriousness

agrarian

adj. relating to the cultivation of land
syn: agricultural
ant: urban

languish

v. to lose or lack vitality
syn: weaken, deteriorate
ant: thrive, flourish

fallacious

adj. based on a mistaken belief
syn: erroneous, inaccurate
ant: true, correct

amalgam

n. a mixture or blend of different components
syn: combination, blend, mixture
ant: separation

anecdote

n. a short story about a real incident, used to make a point
syn: story

opaque

adj. not able to be seen through, not transparent
syn: murky, cloudy, non-transparent
ant: clear, transparent

augment

v. to make greater by adding to
syn: add, increase
ant: lessen, decrease

abrogate

v. to repeal or do away with as in law or agreement
syn: repeal, negate, decodify
ant: implement, ratify

mercurial

adj. subject to sudden changes of mood
syn: changeable, capricious, unpredictable
ant: predictable, stable

affected

adj. demonstrating behavior that is not truly felt
syn: fake, phony, pretentious
ant: real, genuine

turpitude

n. depravity, wickedness
syn: depravity, wickedness
ant: goodness, kindness

vehement

adj. showing forceful passion in speech or tone
syn: forceful, passionate, expressive
ant: subdued, uninspired

suffice

v. to be enough
syn: serve, do

acrid

adj. irritatingly strong in smell or taste
syn: harsh, pungent, caustic
ant: aromatic, fragrant

herald

v. to signal, foreshadow
syn: signal, foreshadow

axiom

n. an established proposition or truth
syn: fact, rule, truth

grandiloquence

n. lofty or pompous speech (designed to show off)
syn: bombast
ant: simplicity, brevity

ignominious

adj. publicly disgraceful, causing shame
syn: disgraceful, humiliating, embarrassing

fecund

adj. producing or capable of producing (in an organic way)
syn: fertile, fruitful, productive
ant: barren

evince

v. to show or reveal
syn: show, reveal
ant: hide

ascetic

n. one who dedicates life to simplicity and abstinence from sensory pleasure
syn: monk
ant: materialist
adj. rigorously abstinent from material goods
syn: austere, simple

furlough

n. a leave of absence
syn: vacation, leave
ant: work

pedagogy

n. method and practice of teaching
syn: teaching

wistful

adj. having or showing a feeling of regretful longing
syn: regretful
ant: joyful

ablution

n. a cleansing with water, usually as ritual
syn: cleansing, baptism
ant: staining, sin

allegory

n. a story, poem, or picture with a hidden meaning

syn: anecdote, metaphor

churlish

adj. rude, mean-spirited, surly

syn: rude, mean-spirited, surly

ant: polite

colloquial

adj. language used in ordinary/familiar conversation

syn: informal, conversational, casual

ant: formal, literary

ambivalent

adj. having mixed/contradictory feelings

syn: unsure, uncertain, indecisive

ant: certain

euphemism

n. word or expression substituted for another, harsher one

syn: replacement, substitution

pugnacious

adj. inclined to quarrel or fight

syn: belligerent, combative

syn: passive, peaceable

elude

v. to evade or escape from

syn: escape, evade, ditch

temerity

n. excessive boldness or confidence

syn: boldness, confidence, audacity

ant: cowardice

venerable

adj. commanding respect due to age, dignity, or wisdom

syn: respectable, august

ant: lowly, undignified

ardent

adj. passionate, enthusiastic, fervent

syn: passionate, enthusiastic, fervent

ant: indifferent, apathetic

entice

v. to lead by exciting hope or promise

syn: lure, lead

ant: repel, reject

mien

n. someone’s demeanor, presentation

syn: demeanor, presentation

desecrate

v. to treat with violent disrespect

syn: destroy

ant: praise

idiom

n. an expression that means something other than the words

syn: expression, saying