AP Lang Vocab - 11th Grade

abate

to become less in amount or intensity

banal

devoid of freshness or originality

duplicity

the quality or state of being twofold or double

innocuous

having no adverse effect; harmless. Not likely to offend or provoke to strong emotion

insinuate

to express an idea indirectly; to suggest or hint in an indirect way

empathetic

showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another

aberration

a state or condition markedly different from the norm

benevolent

characterized by or suggestive of doing good

ephemeral

lasting for a markedly brief time

lurid

glaringly vivid or sensation; shocking

cautionary

serving as a warning

contextualize

to place (a word, event, etc.) into particular or appropriate context for the purpose of analysis

fortitude

strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage

fallacious

based of mistaken belief; deceptive

insipid

without sufficient taste to be pleasing; lacking qualities that excite, stimulate, or interest

jocular

organized by joking; given to joking

accusatory

indicating or suggesting that one believes a person has done something wrong

substantiate

to provide evidence to support or prove the truth of

acquiesce

to consent or comply passively or without protest

enervate

to weaken or destroy the strength or vitality of

hackneyed

overly familiar through overuse; trite

reprehensive

deserving rebuke or censure; blameworthy

objective

not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts

concede

to admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it

apocryphal

of doubtful authorship or authenticity

altruistic

unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness

clemency

willingness or ability to moderate the severity of a punishment

meticulous

extremely careful and precise

detached

indifferent, unconcerned; not showing or feeling interested

corroborate

to confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding)

anachronistic

anything that is or seems to be out of its proper time in history

hedonist

a person whose life is devoted to pleasure and the pursuit of self-gratification

cajole

to urge with gentle and repeated appeals, teasing, or flattery

ambivalence

uncertainty or fluctuation in decision making

sardonic

grimly mocking or cynical

elucidate

to make something clear; explain

astute

having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage

amorphous

lacking definite form or having no specific shape

gregarious

seeking and enjoying the company of others; sociable

opulent

rich; superior in quality

haughty

scornfully and condescendingly proud

critique

to give an opinion or judgment about something (especially a negative opinion)

delineate

to indicate the exact position of (border or boundary)

efface

to remove completely from recognition or memory

immutable

not subject or susceptible to change

obdurate

hardened against feeling; hardhearted

contemptuous

feeling or expressing deep hatred or disapproval

lampoon

to publicly criticize (something or someone) by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm

austere

unadorned; unembellished; severely simple

capricious

governed or characterized by impulse or whim

exacerbate

to increase the severity, violence, or bitterness of; aggravate

querulous

habitually complaining

flippant

not showing a serious or respectful attitude; lacking proper respect

juxtapose

to place contrasting concepts side by side as to create an effect

audacious

extremely bold or daring; recklessly brave

esoteric

intended for or understood by only a particular group

superfluous

being beyond what is requured or sufficient

deprecate

to belittle; to depreciate; to put down

vitriolic

filled with bitter criticism or malice

patronize

to adopt an air of condescension; treat naughtily