AP Lang - Vocabulary

apathy

an absence of emotion or enthusiasm; the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally

furtive

secret and sly; marked by quiet caution and secrecy

altruistic

showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others

ambivalent

uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow

anachronistic

chronologically misplaced

churlish

having a bad disposition; rude and boorish

benign

kind in disposition or manner; pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence; not dangerous to health

disparity

inequality or difference in some respect

dissension

disagreement among those expected to cooperate; a conflict of people’s opinions, actions, or characters

euphemism

an inoffensive expression that is substituted for one that is offensive

gregarious

seeking and enjoying the company of others; (of animals) tending to form a group with others of the same species; (of plants) growing in groups that are close together

innocuous

not injurious to physical or mental health; lacking intent to injure; not causing disapproval

insipid

lacking interest or significance or impact; lacking taste or flavor or tang

lament

a cry of sorrow and grief; a song or hymn of mourning; a mournful poem; regret strongly

nostalgia

a longing for something past

reticence

the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary

prodigal

recklessly wasteful; giving or having in a lavish, abundant, or bountiful way; a recklessly extravagant person

quixotic

not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic

repudiate

refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid; reject as untrue or unjust

opaque

not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight; not clearly understood or expressed

strident

unpleasantly loud and harsh; being sharply insistent on being heard

subtle

difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze; able to make fine distinctions; working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way

superfluous

more than is needed, desired, or required; serving no useful purpose

ubiquitous

being present everywhere at once

venerate

regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or be in awe of