AP Lang Vocab 6

anomalous

abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual
Synonyms: exceptional, unusual, aberrant

aspersion

a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming
Synonyms: innuendo, calumny

bizarre

extremely strange, unusual, atypical
Synonyms: grotesque, fantastic, outlandish

brusque

abrupt, blunt, with no formalities
Synonyms: tactless, ungracious

cajole

to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises
Synonyms: wheedle, inveigle

castigate

to punish severely; to criticize severely
Synonyms: chastise, censure

contrive

to plan with ingenuity; to bring about through a plan
Synonyms: think up, concoct, fabricate

demagogue

a leader who exploits popular prejudice and false claims and promises in order to gain power
Synonyms: rabble-rouser, firebrand

disabuse

to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking
Synonyms: undecieve, enlighten

ennui

weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom
Synonyms: language, world-weariness, listlessness

fetter

a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural), anything that confines or restrains; to chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent
Synonyms: bond, restraint; bind, hamper

heinous

very wicked, offensive, hateful
Synonyms: evil, odious, outrageous

immutable

not subject to change, constant
Synonyms: unchangeable, unalterable, fixed, invariable

insurgent

one who rebels against authority; rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on
Synonyms: revolutionary, rebellious, mutinous

megalomania

a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc, far in excess of reality
Synonyms: delusions of grandeur

sinecure

a position requiring little or no work; an easy job
Synonyms: “no-show” job, cushy job, “plum”

surreptitious

stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud
Synonyms: furtive, covert, clandestine, concealed

transgress

to go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law
Synonyms: overstep, trespass

transmute

to change from one nature, substance, or form to another
Synonyms: transform, convert

vicarious

performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another
Synonyms: surrogate, secondhand