AP Lit - Vocab. List 1

Includes vocab. word, part of speech, definition, connotation (and why), synonyms, and sentence examples

Obstreperous

Definition: resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner

POS: adj.

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms: unruly, unmanageable, disorderly, undisciplined, uncontrollable, refractory, riotous

Sentence: The obstreperous child continued to scream at the top of their lungs as they were dragged away from the arcade.

Erroneous

Definition: containing error

POS: adj.

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms: wrong, incorrect, mistaken, inaccurate, fallacious

Sentence: Our principal held the erroneous belief that trees were made out of chocolate.

Resplendent

Definition: shining brilliantly

POS: adj.

Connotation: (+)

Synonyms: splendid, magnificent, brilliant, dazzling, glittering, glowing, radiant, transcendent, glorious

Sentence: While gazing at the sand, my eye caught a resplendent piece of sea glass nearby.

Agonal

Definition: of, relating to, or symptomatic of agony, specifically associated with death

POS: adj.

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms: distressed, suffering, miserable, deathly, moribund

Sentence: The patient continued to make agonal gasps as he waited for the doctor.

Nebulous

Definition: unclear or without a form

POS: adj.

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms: hazy, vague, indistinct, unclear, indefinite, ill-defined

Sentence:

Reviled

Definition: addressed or spoken of with contemptuous or abusive language

POS: adj.

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms: hated, criticized, condemned, defamed

Sentence: During the battle, the soldier was reviled by the general for being too slow.

Distillation

Definition: the purification or concentration of a substance and obtaining the most essential properties contained within it

POS: noun

Connotation: (neutral)

Synonyms: purification, filtering, refining, filtration

Sentence: The book was a distillation of the author’s ideals of a perfect society.

Belabor

Definition: to explain, worry about, or work at (something) repeatedly or more than is necessary

POS: verb

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms: overelaborate, overdo, overplay

Sentence: My sister began to belabor about missing a period in her sentence.

Behooves

Definition: to be necessary or proper for, as for moral or ethical consideration; be incumbent on

POS: verb

Connotation: (neutral)

Synonyms: be obligatory for, be expected of, be appropriate for

Sentence:

Insalubrious

Definition: unfavorable to one’s health

POS: adj.

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms:

Sentence:

Inscrutable

Definition: incapable of being investigated, analyzed, or scrutinized

POS: adj.

Connotation: (neutral)

Synonyms:

Sentence:

Circuitous

Definition: of, or relating to, a journey or route; a roundabout; not direct

POS: adj.

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms:

Sentence:

Galumphing

Definition: moving in a clumsy, ponderous, or noisy manner

POS: adj.

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms:

Sentence:

Dirigible

Definition: capable of being steered

POS: adj.

Connotation: (neutral)

Synonyms:

Sentence:

Pontificate

Definition: to express opinions in a dogmatic, pompous way

POS:

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms:

Sentence:

Indignant

Definition: feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or based

POS: adj.

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms:

Sentence:

Fecundity

Definition: fertility of fruitfulness

POS: noun

Connotation: (+)

Synonyms:

Sentence:

Extricate

Definition: to free or release from entanglement

POS: verb

Connotation: (neutral)

Synonyms:

Sentence:

Incredulity

Definition: unwillingness or inability to believe something

POS: noun

Connotation: (-)

Synonyms:

Sentence:

Aphorism

Definition: a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation

POS: noun

Connotation: (neutral)

Synonyms:

Sentence: