AP Lang: Vocab List A

abate (v.)

to reduce in amount, degree, or intensity; to diminish

acumen (n.)

the ability to make quick, accurate, and insightful judgments and decisions

ascertain (v.)

to find out, learn, or establish something with certainty through deliberate effort, investigation, or study

bombastic (adj.)

marked by or given to speech or writing that is given exaggerated importance by artificial or empty means : marked by or given to bombast :pompous, overblown

brusque (adj.)

markedly short and abrupt

cacophony (n.)

harsh or jarring sound

censure (n. v.)

a judgment involving condemnation

cogent (adj.)

appealing forcibly to the mind or reason

commensurate (adj.)

corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree

curtail (v.)

to reduce, limit, restrict, or cut something short before its natural completion

deference (n.)

respectful submission or courteous yielding to the judgment, opinion, will, or authority of another person

disparage (v.)

to speak about someone or something in a way that shows a lack of respect, or to belittle their importance, value, or reputation

dubious (adj.)

doubtful, uncertain, or causing suspicion

efficacy (n.)

the ability to produce a desired or intended result

egregious (adj.)

extremely bad, shocking, or noticeable in a negative way

enumerate (v.)

to count, name, or mention things one by one in a list or ascertain a specific number

exhort (v.)

to strongly encourage, advise, or try to persuade someone to do something

extraneous (adj.)

irrelevant, unnecessary, or coming from the outside rather than belonging naturally to something

frenetic (adj.)

fast, energetic, and wild

grandiose (adj.)

something impressive, magnificent, or oversized in scale

Implicit (adj.)

capable of being understood from something else though not directly expressed.

Inane (adj.)

lacking significance, meaning or point; silly.

Incendiary (adj.)

tending to cause anger, disorder or strong reactions.

Intransigent (adj.)

refusing to change one's views or course of action.

Multifarious (adj.)

having great variety; diverse.

Nascent (adj.)

coming or having recently come into existence; developing.

Nebulous (adj.)

vague, indistinct or unclear.

Oration (n.)

an elaborate or formal speech.

Ostracize (v.)

to exclude from a group or society.

Prescient (adj.)

having knowledge of events before they take place; possessing foresight.

Propriety (n.)

the quality or state of being proper; conformity to accepted standards of conduct.

Prosaic (adj.)

lacking in poetic beauty; commonplace or dull.

Rhapsodize (v.)

to speak or write with extravagant enthusiasm.

Rife (adj.)

abundant or prevalent, especially in an undesirable way.

Vacillate (v.)

to waver between different opinions or courses of action.