AP Vocabulary Set 15

abate (v)

to reduce in intensity or amount

antecedent (n)

preceding a cause

arid (adj)

very dry

baneful (adj)

a source of harm or destruction; harmful, destructive

beleaguer (v)

to harass

contempt (n)

scorn, extreme dislike or disdain

cynical (adj)

given to faultfinding, sneering, and sarcasm; exhibiting mocking disbelief

dexterous (adj)

skillful and active with the hands; manually adroit and skillful

dour (adj)

sullen, stern, harsh

exalt (v)

to glorify, to praise, to raise in rank

felicitous (adj)

happy or delightful

impeccable (adj)

free from fault or blame

imperturbable (adj)

marked by extreme calm, impassivity, assurance and steadiness

malleable (adj)

capable of being shaped, influenced, or altered; tractable

mortify (v)

to humiliate, to wound pride, to experience shame

obdurate (v)

extremely stubborn, unwilling to accept advice

platitude (n)

trite remark, banal statement

profligate (n)

a wasteful person; extremely wasteful, given to licentiousness

pugnacious (adj)

looking for a fight, combative, belligerent

savory (adj)

appetizing

spurn (v)

to reject or to refuse with hostility

supercilious (adj)

haughty, vain and arrogant

trite (adj)

overused, commonplace, hackneyed

vociferous (adj)

clamorous; boisterous (suggests a vehement outcry)

vulgarity (n)

something offensive to good taste and refinement