AP Lang SAT Vocabulary 1-3

cacophony

a harsh or jarring sound

cogent

a clear, logical or convincing argument

eclectic

deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources

accentuate

to make more noticeable or prominent

dogmatic

inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true

modicum

a small quantity of a particular thing, especially something desirable or valuable

rancorous

characterized by bitterness or resentment

derelict

in a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect

spurious

not being what it purports to be; false or fake

vacillated

alternate or waver between differing opinions - to be indecisive

adept

having knowledge or skill in a particular area

aggrandize

embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of

ambiguous

unclear or vague in meaning

candid

direct, blunt

corroborate

to provide evidence for; to back up

deference

great respect or regard

expunge

remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line

empirical

derived from observation, or an experiment

ignominious

publicly shameful or humiliating

malleable

capable of being molded or changed

ad hominem

an argument or reaction directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining

subversive

seeking or intended to undermine an established system or institution

obscurity

the state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or unimportant

transient

lasting only for a short time; impermanent

loquacious

tending to talk a great deal; talkative

dejected

sad and depressed; dispirited

intransigent

unwilling or refusing to change one’s views or to agree about something

erudite

having or showing great knowledge or learning

sardonic

grimly mocking or cynical

frivolous

not having any serious purpose or value