AP Lang SAT Vocab

Abhor

Regard with disgust and hatred

Adulation

Obsequious flattery; excessive admiration or praise

Amicable

Having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor

Cynical

Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity

Contemptuous

Showing contempt; scornful

Assiduous

Showing great care and perseverance

Conciliatory

Intended or likely to placate or pacify

Contentious

Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial

Censure

Express severe disapproval of, especially in a formal statement

Colloquial

Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary

Demagogue

A political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument

Derisive

Expressing contempt or ridicule

Diffident

Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence

Digression

A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing

Disdain

The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one’s consideration or respect; contempt

Effusive

Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner

Elicit

Evoke or draw out from someone in reaction to one’s own actions or questions

Eloquent

Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing

Emulate

Match or surpass, typically by limitation

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time

Facetious

Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant

Flippant

Not showing a serious or respectful attitude

Frugal

Sparing or economical with regard to money or food

Impute

Represent as being done, caused, or possessed by someone; attribute

Inane

Silly; stupid

Incisive

Intelligently analytical and clear-thinking

Insolent

Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect

Intuitive

Using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning; instinctive

Laudatory

Expressing praise and commendation

Lofty

Of imposing height; thick and resilient

Ludicrous

So foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing; ridiculous

Nonchalant

Feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm

Poignant

Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret

Provocative

Causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction, especially deliberately

Pedantic

Of or like a pedant

Risible

Such as to provoke laughter

Rancorous

Characterized by bitterness or resentment

Restrained

Prevent from doing something; keep under control or within limits

Self-Deprecating

Modest about or critical of oneself, especially humorously so

Sardonic

Grimly mocking or cynical

Specious

Superficially plausible, but actually wrong

Speculative

Engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge

Spurious

Not being what it purports to be; false or fake

Strident

Loud and harsh; grating

Substantiate

Provide evidence to support or provoke the truth of

Superfluous

Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough

Terse

Sparing in the use of words; abrupt

Vindicate

Clear someone or blame or suspicion

Vitriolic

Filled with bitter criticism or malice

Wry

Using or expressing dry, especially mocking humor

Intercede

Intervene on behalf of another

Simulate

Imitate the appearance or character of

Expostulate

Express strong disapproval or disagreement

Aggrieved

Feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated

Docile

Ready to accept control or instruction; submissive

Jaded

Tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something

Meritorious

Deserving reward or praise

Ambivalent

Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Patronizing

Apparently kind or helpful but betraying a feeling of superiority; condescending

Transcend

Be or go beyond the range or limits of

Callow

Inexperienced and immature

Surmise

Suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it

Apathetic

Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

Pensive

Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought

Ameliorate

Make something bad better

Intrinsic

Belonging naturally; essential

Inveigh

Speak or write about with great hostility

Ardent

Enthusiastic or passionate

Exhort

Strongly encourage or urge to do something

Pragmatic

Dealing with thinks sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations

Corroborate

Confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding

Vicarious

Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person

Cajole

Persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery

Thwart

Prevent someone from accomplishing something

Nomenclature

The devising or choosing of names for things, especially in a science or other discipline

Occult

Supernatural, mystical, or magical beliefs, practices, or phenomena

Torpid

Mentally or physically inactive; lethargic

Extenuating

Serving to lesson the seriousness of an offense

Soporific

Tending to induce drowsiness or sleep

Conductive

Having the property of conducting something (heat or electricity)

Slovenly

Messy and dirty

Acrimonious

Angry and bitter

Relegate

Consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position

Archetype

A very typical example of a certain person or thing

Mitigate

Make less server, serious, or painful

Desist

Cease; abstain

Vapid

Offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging

Covert

Not openly acknowledge or displayed

Debonair

Confident, stylish, and charming

Bedlam

A scene of uproar and confusion

Accentuate

Make more noticeable or prominent

Monotonous

Dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest

Inadvertent

Not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning

Amorphous

Without a clearly defined shape or form

Austere

Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance

Equivocate

To use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge

Pernicious

Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

Disseminate

Spread information widely

Scintillating

Sparkling or shinning brightly

Blatant

Bad behavior done openly and unashamedly