AP Lang Vocab Set #1

Apocryphal (adjective)

Of dubious authenticity or origin; spurious (a story or claim that is likely untrue even if widely repeated)

The __ story had no reliable evidence to support it.

Fill-in apocryphal

Arcane (adjective)

Understood by only a few; mysterious (knowledge limited to experts or specialists)

The instructions were so __ that only experts understood them.

Fill-in arcane

Convene (verb)

To summon or cause to assemble; to gather or assemble formally (usually for an official meeting)

The committee will __ to discuss the proposal.

Fill-in convene

Expedient (adjective)

Useful for some purpose; convenient; concerned primarily or exclusively with serving one’s own interests (effective in the short term, often self-serving)

Ignoring the issue was an __ solution for him.

Fill-in expedient

Expedient (noun)

A means employed to bring about a certain result (a tactic or method used to achieve a goal)

Deception was used as an __ to succeed.

Fill-in expedient

Exude (verb)

To flow out slowly; to ooze or emit; to give forth; to exhibit in abundance (to strongly show or release something)

She __ confidence during the speech.

Fill-in exuded

Exuded (verb, past tense of exude)

Gave forth or exhibited in abundance

His calm demeanor __ reassurance to everyone around him.

Fill-in exuded

Gesticulate (verb)

To motion energetically with the body or limbs (using exaggerated gestures while speaking)

He began to __ wildly while explaining his idea.

Fill-in gesticulate

Imperturbable (adjective)

Calm and assured (not easily disturbed or shaken)

The leader remained __ during the crisis.

Fill-in imperturbable

Increment (noun)

An increase, addition, or gain, often by regular, consecutive amounts (a small step-by-step increase)

His salary increased by a small __ each year.

Fill-in increment

Incremental (adjective)

Increasing gradually by regular amounts

The team made __ improvements to the system every month.

Fill-in incremental

Levity (noun)

Excessive frivolity; a lack of seriousness; joking (being too playful in a serious situation)

The teacher disapproved of the student’s __ during the lesson.

Fill-in levity

Mortify (verb)

To embarrass or humiliate (to cause deep personal shame)

Forgetting her lines on stage __ her.

Fill-in mortified

Mortified (adjective / past tense of mortify)

Deeply embarrassed or humiliated

He felt __ when his mistake was broadcast to the class.

Fill-in mortified

Periphery (noun)

The area around the edges; the outermost part (outside the center)

The town lies on the __ of the city.

Fill-in periphery

Peripheral (adjective)

Relating to, involving, or forming an outer edge or boundary; not central (secondary or not essential)

That issue was __ to the main discussion.

Fill-in peripheral

Raconteur (noun)

One who tells stories with skill and wit (an entertaining storyteller)

He is a talented __ who captivates his audience.

Fill-in raconteur

Reiterate (verb)

To say or do over again; to repeat (used to emphasize or clarify)

The teacher had to __ the instructions.

Fill-in reiterate

Subterfuge (noun)

A deceptive scheme or strategy (a sneaky or dishonest plan)

The mission relied on __ to mislead the enemy.

Fill-in subterfuge

Vacillate (verb)

To move back and forth from lack of balance; to waver; to alternate indecisively between opinions or courses of action (unable to make a firm decision)

She continued to __ between the two options.

Fill-in vacillate

Vacillating (adjective / present participle of vacillate)

Alternating indecisively between choices or opinions

His __ attitude made it hard to plan anything with him.

Fill-in vacillating