AP Lang - Unit 3 Vocab

Abominate

to have an intense dislike or hatred for

S: loathe, abhor, despise, detest
A: relish, savor, esteem

Acculturation

the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend

S: adaptation

Adventitious

resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital

S: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous
A: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital

Ascribe

to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

S: impute, credit

Circuitous

roundabout, not direct

S: indirect, meandering, winding
A: straight, direct, as the crow flies

Commiserate

to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

S: feel sorry for, empathize
A: feel no sympathy for

Enjoin

to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

S: bid, charge, adjure
A: allow, permit

Expedite

to make easy, cause to progress faster

S: accelerate, facilitate, speed up
A: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct

Expiate

to make amends, make up for; to avert

S: redeem, make amends for, make reparation

Ferment

a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; to be in or work into a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; to produce something by a chemical action

S: commotion, turmoil, unrest
A: peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

Inadvertent

resulting from or marked by lacked of attention; unintentional accidental

S: accidental
A: deliberate, intentional

Nominal

existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

S: titular, inconsequential
A: actual, exorbitant

Noncommittal

not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position

S: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest
A: positive, definite, committed

Peculate

to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use

S: defraud, misappropriate

Proclivity

a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)

S: penchant, propensity
A: inability, incapacity

Sangfroid

composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

S: poise, self-assurance, equanimity
A: excitability, hysteria, flappability

Seditious

resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

S: mutinous, rebellious, subversive
A: supportive, faithful, allegiant

Tenuous

Thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

S: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy
A: strong, solid, substantial, valid

Vitriolic

bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

S: withering, acerbic, mordant
A: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

Wheedle

to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

S: inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
A: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm