AP Vocab. List #15

2025 AP. Lang Vocabulary List #15

abate

make less active or intense

antecedent

a preceding occurrence or cause or event

arid

lacking sufficient water or rainfall

bane

the cause of ruin harm, distress, or death

beleaguer

to besiege by encircling (as with an army); to harass

contempt

a manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous

cynical

doubtful or distrustful of the goodness or sincerity of human motives

dexterous

skillful in physical movements

dour

showing a brooding ill humor

exalt

praise, glorify, or honor

felicitous

appropriate, apt, well chosen; marked by well-being or good fortune; happy

impeccable

without fault or error

imperturbable

not capable of being disturbed

malleable

capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out

mortify

cause to feel shame; undergo necrosis

obdurate

stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing

platitude

a trite or obvious remark

profligate

a recklessly extravagant consumer; recklessly wasteful

pugnacious

ready and able to resort to force or violence

savory

tasty, appetizing; pungent or salty, not sweet; inoffensive, respectable

spurn

reject with contempt

supercilious

having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

trite

repeated too often

vociferous

loud and noisy; compelling attention

vulgarity

something offensive to good taste and refinement