AP Lit. September Words 2025

agitated

feeling or appearing troubled or nervous

1600s—referred to bring disturbed, even “disturbed of mind” (Mad)

Agitator in washing machine. All stirred up.

ambivalent

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

a term from psychology, back formation from the noun ambivalence—the state in which one is of two minds.

An ambivalent person sees the strengths of both sides and will not pick one over the other, as a result this is largely neutral in connotation. But, hesitant to choose but not wishy-washy has a more negative connotation.

amiable

having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner

Comes from the Latin amicus, “a friend or loved one.”

Describes a personality of demeanor—not to be confused with amicable—a friendly interaction or settlement, especially one that was not previously friendly.

anxious 

experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome

Latin anxius “solicitous, uneasy, troubled in mind.”

Notice the solicitous aspect in its etymology. Someone who is anxious is often eager to please in some way.

belligerent 

hostile and aggressive.

From Latin, this root means to “wage war, engage in hostiles.” A related word from the same root is bellicose, which also means being aggressive and willing to fight.

Considering the intensely negative connotations of war, a belligerent person isn’t just going to be mildly off-putting; this word has a very strong negative connotation.

censorious

severely critical of others

“fond of criticizing,” from censorious “pertaining to a censor,” who is “rigid, severe.” Think of banning a book

“Rigid & severe” - censorious person would be uncompromising in their criticism

complacent

showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements

complacere - “to be very pleasing”

Until the 170os, this word simply meant pleasing, but 1767 is the first recorded reference in which the negative connotations come through. It's often misused to mean one doesn't care, but this is mistaken.

credulous

Having or showing too great a readiness to believe things. This is related to the words credibility, incredulous, credo, credit, etc. All these words deal with belief.

Incredulous includes the prefix in, which means "not." It simply means not being able or willing to believe, so the connotation of naivete vanished

A credulous person is like a gullible person but this word has a less negative connotation.

cynical

Believing people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.

The Greek Cynics were philosophers who advocated "a simple life of virtue and freedom in accordance with nature, rejecting societal conventions, material possessions, and the pursuit of wealth, fame, or power." Their ideology disdains and thus rejects the shallow values of society.

Cynical people often express themselves through sarcasm, sneers, disparagement, etc. Cynical people often feel a sense of superiority to other, more accepting (credulous) people.

delighted

Feeling or showing great pleasure.

delectare "to allure, delight, charm, please," frequentative of delicere "entice"

Remember that the person feeling delighted is reacting to external stimuli or pleasant thoughts. So, it's a passive state.

Very positive connotation.

despairing

Experiencing and/or exhibiting a loss of all hope.

de "without" + sperare "to hope"

As you might guess from the definition, this word has a strong negative connotation.

fawning

Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection; obsequious; servile.

Root from Middle Ages, meaning "cringing, servile"

Conveys that the person fawning is afraid of the person being served

This is a cringy word. It is to act like a boot-licking servant to someone unworthy of respect or service.

flippant

Not showing a serious or respectful attitude.

Medieval word to flip, which meant to “toss as though with the thumb” or “ snap the fingers” Today, we would think of “flipping someone off…”

Talkative, vocal, and disrespectfully smart, In short a smart ass, but not one so obnoxious you want to kill them.

gloomy

Feeling distressed or pessimistic, often defeatist

Gloomy has the figurative suggestion of physical gloom or darkness: the gloomy man has little brightness in his mind, or he sees little light ahead. Think of a “Gloomy Gus” as a sullen person. This is not nearly as strong as despairing. Gloomy weather can make us feel gloomy.

paranoid

Unreasonably or obsessively anxious, suspicious, or mistrustful.

From Greek: para “alongside, beyond; irregular, abnormal + eidolon “appearance, reflection in water or a mirror,” also “mental image, apparition, phantom”

Related to a mental disorder characterized by delusions. The difference between anxiety and paranoia is whether the “enemy” really is out to get you. Sometimes people misuse it to mean worried or fearful, but it’s much stronger.

shrewd

having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute.

From the Middle English shewe or wicked man

Wow! This seems like it would have a negative connotation given its origins, but thanks to the age of Enlightenment, the word means more clever or keen-witted in their affairs. It is positively connotated in contrast to sly or cunning.

strident

Loud and harsh; grating

Originally from Latin which defines the word as “a shrill, inarticulate sound.”

This is not a positive word. Someone who is strident is pushing their ideas too hard; they’re “grating” on the nerves if not the ears.

temperate

showing moderation or self-restraint. Modest, self-restrained, not swayed by passion, even

temperatus “restrained, regulated, limited, moderate, sober, calm, steady,” past participle of temperare “to moderate, regulate”

Think of the Temperance Movement, which sought, and ultimately achieved, a ban on alcohol. A bit beyond “all things in moderation…”

alludes to 

a power verb for analysis that suggests a similarity between textual evidence and something in the real world.

The Romans used it to mean “to play, make fun of, joke, jest.” The joke doesn’t land if you don’t get the references.

Refers to, points to, but with the connotation that the reader is well-versed enough to get the reference.

highlights

a power verb for analysis that emphasizes a point that you are trying to make.

Yep, think of you highlighter pen, hair color, makeup. To accentuate, point attention to…