AP LANG VOCAB 1

1. abate (v.)

to decrease in force or intensity

2. acumen (n.)

clarity of mind and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination especially in practical decision-making

3. ascertain (v.)

o find out or learn with certainty

4. bombastic (adj.)

marked by or given to speech or writing that is given exaggerated importance by artificial or empty means : marked by or given to bombast : pompous, overblown

5. brusque (adj.)

markedly short and abrupt

6. cacophony (n.)

harsh or jarring sound

7. censure (n. v.

n.a judgment involving condemnation v. to find fault with and criticize as blameworthy

8. cogent (adj.)

 appealing forcibly to the mind or reason

9. commensurate (adj.)

corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree

10. curtail (v.)

to reduce or limit something.

11. deference (n.)

a way of behaving that shows respect for someone or something

12. disparage (v.

to describe (someone or something) as unimportant, weak, bad, etc

13. dubious (adj.

unsure or uncertain : feeling doubt about something

14. efficacy (n.)

The power to produce a result or effect

15. egregious (adj.)

very bad and easily noticed.

16. enumerate (v.)

 to name things one after another in a list

17. exhort (v.)

to incite by argument or advice : urge strongly

18. extraneous (adj.)

not forming a necessary part of something

19. frenetic (adj.

 filled with excitement, activity, or confusion : wild or frantic

20. grandiose (adj.)

seeming to be impressive or intended to be impressive but not really possible or practical

21. implicit (adj.)

capable of being understood from something else though not clearly or directly stated

22. inane (adj.)

very silly or stupid

23. incendiary (adj.)

containing chemicals that explode into flame : producing a fire, causing anger.

24. intransigent (adj.)

completely unwilling to change : very stubborn

25. multifarious (adj.)

 having or occurring in great variety, diverse

26. nascent (adj.)

coming or having recently come into existence

27. nebulous (adj.)

not clear : difficult to see, understand, describe, etc.

28. oration (n.)

a formal speech

29. ostracize (v.)

to not allow (someone) to be included in a group : to exclude (someone) from a group

30. prescient (adj.)

 Having or showing an ability to know what will happen before it does

31. propriety (n.)

behavior that is accepted as socially or morally correct and proper

32. prosaic (adj.)

dull or ordinary

33. rhapsodize (v.)

 to praise or describe something or someone with a lot of enthusiasm and emotion

34. rife (adj.)

very common and often bad or unpleasant

35. vacillate (v.)

to repeatedly change your opinions or desires