AP Lit Vocab (ALL)

AMBIGUITY

(noun) the quality of being open to more than one interpretation

INVECTIVE

(noun) insulting, venomous, or abusive language

EQUIVOCATE

(verb) to use vague language in order to conceal the truth or avoid committing

SUBVERT

(verb) to tear down or flip an established system or belief

UNSCRUPULOUS

(adj.) having or showing no moral principles

CANDOR

(noun) the quality of being open and honest in expression

CONTEMPTUOUS

(adj) showing disdain; scornful

VACILLATE

(verb) to alternate or waver between different opinions or decisions

DIDACTIC

(adj) intended to teach

BEMUSED

(adj) confused or bewildered

INDIGNANT

(adj) feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment

PUNCTILIOUS

(adj) showing great attention to detail or correct behavior

ASCETIC

(adj) practicing severe self-discipline and abstention

GRANDILOQUENT

(adj) extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress

REPROOF

(noun) an expression of disapproval

IMPUTE

(verb) to attribute negatively; to assign blame

OVERWEENING

(adj) excessive; arrogant

CONCILIATORY

(adj) intended to placate or pacify

ABERRANT

(adj) deviating from the ordinary

DESPONDENT

(adj) in low spirits from loss of hope or courage

LIONIZE

(v) to give special attention to; to treat someone as if they’re a celebrity

WRY

(adj) using or expressing dry, mocking humor

OBLIQUELY

(adv) indirectly

AUSTERE

(adj) severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance

PERNICIOUS

(adj) having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual, subtle way

ILLUSTRIOUS

(adj) well known, respected, and admired for past achievements

CHANGEABLE

(adj) irregular; inconsistent

IGNOBLE

(adj) not honorable in character or purpose

JOCULAR

(adj) humorous and playful

MISANTHROPIC

(adj) disliking humankind and avoidant of society

OSTENTATIOUS

(adj) showy; designed to impress

PEDANT

(n) one who is overly focused on obscure details and showing off their academic knowledge

LAMENT

(n) a passionate expression of grief or sorrow

FECUND

(adj) fertile; fruitful

SUBLIME

(adj) awe-inspiringly grand or beautiful

IDYLLIC

(adj) a time, place, or circumstance that is happy, peaceful, or picturesque

APT

(adj) appropriate, suitable, or fitting; inclined

BEGRUDGINGLY

(adv) reluctantly

FERVENT

(adj) having or displaying a passionate intensity

REPRIEVE

(n) a cancellation or postponement of a punishment

MORDANT

(adj) having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting

STRIDENT

(adj) loud and harsh; grating

PRAGMATIC

(adj) dealing with things sensibly and realistically; practical

BLITHE

(adj) showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper

INIMITABLE

(adj) so good or unusual as to be impossible to copy; unique

CAPRICIOUS

(adj) given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

EXHORT

(v) to urge

SUPERCILIOUS

(adj) arrogant; haughty

ONEROUS

(adj) burdensome or troublesome, usually in reference to a duty

ASSUAGE

(v) to satisfy or to make less intense

ALLAY

(v) to lessen or to relieve

BEDEVIL

(v) to torment or harass or to cause trouble to

DISCURSIVE

(adj) digressing from subject to subject

ADMONISH

(v) to warn or reprimand someone firmly

INDISCRIMINATE

(adj) done at random or without careful judgment

HOMAGE

(n) special honor or respect shown publicly

REPOSE

(n) a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility

ENIGMATIC

(adj) difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious

STEADFAST

(adj) dutifully firm and unwavering

SELF-DEPRECATING

(adj) modest about or critical of oneself, especially humorously so