ap lang vocab (spring)

latent (adj)

present (as in quality or trait) but not visible or apparent; existing as potential

mayhem (n)

needless or willful damage or violence

maelstrom (n)

1. a powerful whirlpool in the sea or river

2. a state of confused movement or violent turmoil

superfluous (adj)

unnecessary; overkill; excessive; wasteful

ameliorate (v)

to make a bad situation better; to lessen the damage or destruction of a difficult situation

exacerbate (v)

to make a bad situation worse

visceral (adj)

a feeling coming from deep inside (as opposed to your brain); an intense feeling from your gut

ephemeral (adj)

lasting for a very short time (typically used to describe nature, something beautiful, or aesthetics)

artifice (n)

a clever or cunning method or strategy, especially as used to trick or deceive others

impunity (n)

exemption from punishment; freedom from the injurious consequences of an action

lampoon (v)

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

bolster (v)

to support or strengthen; to prop up

conduit (n)

a means of transmitting or distributing, such as a channel or pipeline

vexation (n)

the state of being annoyed or frustrated

conflate (v)

to improperly combine two or more things; to not properly differentiate

subversive (adj)

seeking to undermine, overthrow, or destroy (an established government, institution, authority, belief, etc.)

effrontery (n)

impudence; nerve; insolence; rudeness; presumption; audacity

deference (n)

courteous regard for someone; respect for someone or something

veracity (n)

integrity; accuracy; truthfulness

specious (adj)

superficially plausible, but actually wrong; misleadingly attractive

auspicious (adj)

being a sign of future success, marked by good omens; promising

clout (n)

influence or power, especially in politics or business

feckless (adj)

ineffective; incompetent (generally used to describe a person/ their abilities)

ubiquitous (adj)

present, appearing, or found everywhere

gratuitous (adj)

uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted

venerable (adj)

accorded (treated with) a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character

plethora (n)

a large or excessive amount of something

dearth (n)

a scarcity or lack (of something)

conviction (n)

a fixed or firm belief

dormant (adj)

temporarily inactive or inoperative

acrimonious (adj)

angry and bitter (typically used to describe a speech or debate)

egregious (adj)

outstandingly bad; shocking

nonplussed (adj)

(of a person) surprised and confused so much that they are unsure of how to react

zealous (adj)

1. showing or having great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective

2. marked by fervent partisanship for a person, a cause, or an ideal

histrionic (adj)

overly dramatic or melodramatic, as in behavior designed to attract attention

irascible (adj)

having or showing a tendency to be easily angered

strident (adj)

1. loud and harsh; grating

2. presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively and unpleasantly forceful way

sagacity (n)

foresight, discernment, or keen perception; ability to make good judgements; wisdom

exacting (adj)

1. rigid or severe in demands or requirements

2. requiring close application or attention

obtuse (adj)

not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; insensitive or unobservant