AP Lang Vocab List 5

acrimonious

(adj.) bitter, angry, and sarcastic language, behavior, or speech

ameliorate

(verb) make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better

amenable

(adj.) (of a person) open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled

amorphous

(adj.) without a clearly defined shape or form

buoyant

(adj.) able or apt to stay afloat or rise to the top of a liquid or gas

cajole

(verb) to persuade, coax, or influence someone using gentle urging, flattery, or false promises, typically when they are reluctant

calamity

(noun) referring to an event that causes great harm, severe distress, damage, or misery

debase

(verb) to lower the quality, character, value, or status of something or someone

efface

(verb) to erase, wipe out, or obliterate something, either physically (rubbing out) or figuratively (memories/feelings)

elucidate

(verb) to make something clear, explain, or throw light up on a complex or obscure subject

ephemeral

(adj./noun) refers to something lasting a very short time, short-lived, or transitory (fleeting moments)

ferocity

(noun) refers to the state or quality of being fierce, savage, or wild

flourish

(verb/noun) grow vigorously, thrive, or prosper, as well as to wave something dramatically (brandish) or add ornamental embellishments

haughty

(adj.) describes someone as blatantly disdainfully proud, arrogant, or snobbish

impervious

(adj.) incapable of being penetrated, affected, or harmed

inane

(adj.) describes something silly, senseless, or pointless

indolence

(noun) a habitual, lazy disposition or an aversion to work and effort

infallible

(adj.) incapable of making mistakes, being wrong, or failing

inscrutable

(adj.) describes something mysterious, impossible to understand, or difficult to interpret, such as a blank expression or hidden motives

languid

(adj.) someone or something lacking in energy, vitality, or spirit

malice

(noun) the desire to cause harm, injury, or distress to another person

oblique

(adj.) describing something slanted, diagonal, or indirect (not straightforward)

opulence

(noun) great wealth, luxuriousness, or an abundance of resources and goods

penitent

(adj./noun) meaning feeling, expressing, or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong, often with a willingness to atone

perfunctory

(adj.) used to describe an action done quickly, superficially, or as a routine duty, often lacking care, interest, or enthusiasm