AP Lang Vocab Lists 1-4

Intercede

To plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement

Hackneyed

Used so often as to lack freshness or originality

Approbation

The expression of approval or favorable opinion

Innuendo

A hint, indirect suggestions, or reference (often derogatory)

Coalition

A combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

Elicit

To draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)

Hiatus

a gap, opening, break

assuage

to make easier or milder, to relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to; to appease; satisfy; quench (make an unpleasant feeling less intense) or (satisfy a desire)

decadence

decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay

expostulate

to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning (express disagreement)

Simulate

to make a pretense of; to imitate

Jaded

wearied, worn-out, dulled

Umbrage

an overshadowing influence or power; offense; resentment (offense or annoyance)

Prerogative

a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence

Lurid

Causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale in color; terrible in intensity or lack of restraint (very vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect.)

Transcend

to rise above or beyond, to exceed

Provincial

pertaining to an outlying area; narrow in outlook; the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside (of or concerning the regions outside the capital city of a country, especially when regarded as unsophisticated or narrow-minded.)

Petulant

peevish, annoyed by trifles; easily irritated and upset

Unctuous

fatty, oily, and pliable; excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety (excessively flattering)

Meritorious

deserving recognition and praise

egregious

extremely bad in a way that is very noticeable; conspicuous 

infringe

to violate, trespass or go beyond recognized bounds

callow

without experience; immature; lacking poise and sophistication

ameliorate

to improve; to make better; to correct a flaw or shortcoming

bombastic

pompous, or overblown in language (sounds fancy but doesn’t mean anything)

ingratiate

to make oneself agreeable in order to gain favorable acceptance by others 

epitome

a perfect or ideal example of something; the embodiment of an idea

aplomb

poise and assurance; great self-confidence (especially when in a demanding situation)

exhort

to urge strongly; to advise earnestly 

drivel

aimless talk or thinking; nonsense

intrinsic

belong to someone or something by its very nature; essential; inherent

permeate

to spread through; penetrate; soak through

occult

secret or hidden from view; mysterious, magical, or uncanny 

inveigh

to make a violent attack in words; express strong disapproval

nonplussed

puzzled; not knowing what to do; at a loss

surmise

to think or believe without supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; likely idea that lacks definite proof

stringent

strict or severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste

interloper

one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be; an intruder

precipitate

to fall as moisture; to bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height;

lassitude

weariness of body or mind; lack of energy