AP Lang Vocab 4

affable

courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to
Synonyms: genial, amicable, cordial

aggrandize

to increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater
Synonyms: augment, amplify, enhance, exalt

amorphous

shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity or cohesion
Synonyms: formless, unstructured, inchoate

archetype

an original model on which something was patterned or replicated; the ideal example of a particular type of person or thing
Synonyms: model, prototype, epitome

aura

that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality
Synonyms: ambience, atmosphere

contraband

illegal traffic, smuggled goods; illegal, prohibited
Synonyms: bootleg, unlawful

erudite

scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic
Synonyms: profoundly educated, well-read

gossamer

thin, light, delicate, insubstantial, a very thin, light cloth
Synonyms: filmy, diaphanous, sheer, airy, feathery, gauzy

inscrutable

incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically
Synonyms: impenetrable, incomprehensible, enigmatic

insular

relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island narrow or isolated in outlook or experience
Synonyms: narrow-minded, parochial, provincial

irrevocable

incapable of being charged or called back
Synonyms: unrecallable, unalterable

propensity

a natural inclination or predilection toward
Synonyms: natural bent, proclivity, penchant

querulous

peevish, complaining, fretful
Synonyms: petulant, irritable

remonstrate

to argue with someone against something, protest against
Synonyms: reason against, expostulate

repudiate

to disown, reject, or deny the validity of
Synonyms: disavow, renounce

resilient

able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly
Synonyms: springy, elastic

reverberate

to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly
Synonyms: rumble, thunder, boom, echo

scurrilous

coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language) foul-mouthed
Synonyms: obscene, filthy, abusive, vituperative

sedulous

persistent, showing industry and determination
Synonyms: assiduous, indefatigable

sleazy

thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior In quality or character; ethically low, mean or disreputable
Synonyms: inferior, cheesy