ap lang vocab two

AP Lang Vocabulary Unit 2


Note carefully the spelling, pronunciation, part(s) of speech, and definition(s) of each of the following words. Then observe the word in the blank space(s) in the illustrative sentence(s) following. Finally, study the lists of synonyms and antonyms given at the end of each entry. 


  1. Aegis (n) protection; patronage; sponsorship.

The arts and education programs of the United Nations are under the AEGIS of UNESCO.

Synonym: auspices

  1. Apprise (v) to inform of; to make aware of by giving oral or written notice.

The spokesperson will APPRISE us of the latest developments.

Synonyms: acquaint, notify

Antonyms: keep secret, withhold information

  1. Bibulous (adj) fond of or inclined to drink; absorbent.

The retired sailor was a BIBULOUS old codger.

Synonyms: inebrious, alcoholic

Antonyms: teetotaling, abstemious, temperate

  1. Claque (n) a group of people hired to applaud a performer or performance; enthusiastic or fawning admirers; an opera hat.

The soprano’s CLAQUE was in attendance, as usual.

Synonyms: fan club, flatterers, hangers-on

  1. Deracinate (v) to pull up by the roots; to root out, uproot, or dislocate; to eliminate all traces of.

One way to DERACINATE prejudice from our society is to heighten public awareness.

Synonyms: extirpate, eradicate, expunge

Antonyms: implant, nurture, foster, instill

  1. Eleemosynary (adj) charitable; dependent upon or supported by charity; derived from or provided by charity.

Some ELEEMOSYNARY institutions use phone solicitations to obtain contributions.

Synonyms: philanthropic, beneficent

Antonyms: selfish, self-seeking, uncharitable

  1. Indigenous (adj) originating in the country or region where found, native, inborn; inherent.

Grizzly bears and mountain lions are two examples of wildlife INDIGENOUS to the Rockies.

Synonyms: endemic, domestic, homegrown

Antonyms: foreign, alien exoteric, imported

  1. Lachrymose (adj) given to tears or weeping; causing to shed tears; mournful, lugubrious

It was a LACHRYMOSE tale of poverty and woe.

Synonyms: tearful, doleful, dolorous

Antonyms: dry-eyed, cheerful, merry, hilarious


  1. Lexicon (n) a dictionary of a language; the special vocabulary of a person, group, or subject; a compendium.

The LEXICON of computer technology is large and growing.

Synonyms: wordbook, glossary

  1. Melee (n) a confused struggle; a violent free-for-all; a tumultuous mingling.

Many fans were hurt in the MELEE that followed the soccer match.

Synonyms: fracas, brawl, scuffle, donnybrook

Antonym: friendly chat, peace and quiet

  1. Microcosm (n) a miniature world or universe; a group or system viewed as the model of a larger group or system.

The ocean liner is a MICROCOSM of society in the novel Ship of Fools.

Synonyms: epitome, world in little

Antonyms: universe, macrocosm, cosmos, totality

  1. Minuscule (adj) very small, tiny; (n) a lowercase letter.

I ate only a MINUSCULE portion of the dessert.

In the typeface that the poet chose, every letter used in the poem is a MINUSCULE.

Synonyms: (adj) infinitesimal, insignificant

Antonyms: (adj) huge, massive, monumental

  1. Obfuscate (v) to darken or obscure; to confuse or bewilder.

The pedantic lecturer’s long-winded explanation served only to OBFUSCATE the meaning of the thesis.

Synonym: muddy the waters

Antonym: clarify, elucidate, explicate

  1. Paternalism (n) the policy or practice of treating or governing people in the manner of a father dealing with his children.

The President won over the worried populace with his attitude of kind PATERNALISM.

Synonyms: benevolence, solicitude, fatherliness

  1. Polarize (v) to cause to concentrate around two conflicting or contrasting positions; to cause light to vibrate in a pattern.

The debate served to POLARIZE public opinion on the issue.

Synonyms: split, divide, alienate, estrange

Antonyms: unite, unify, reconcile

  1. Purview (n) the rang, extent, or scope of something; in law, the scope or limit of what is provided in a statute.

The subject was outside the PURVIEW of the mayor’s authority.

Synonyms: jurisdiction, orbit

  1. Sanguine (adj) having a ruddy complexion; of a naturally cheerful, confident, or optimistic outlook.

Scientists remain SANGUINE about the chances of finding a cure for the deadly disease.

Synonyms: flushed, rosy

Antonyms: bloodless, ashen, pessimistic, gloomy

  1. Solecism (n) a substandard or ungrammatical usage; a breach of etiquette; any impropriety or mistake.

One common SOLECISM is “irregardless.”

Synonyms: misusage, blunder, faux pas

Antonym: correct usage

  1. Vassal (n) a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he or she owes allegiance; a subordinate or dependent; a servant; (adj) subservient.

The duke’s VASSAL was forced to fight for the king, to whom the duke owed allegiance.

As a VASSAL nation, India provided troops for British armies.

  1. Verisimilitude (n) the quality of appearing to be true, real, likely, or probable.

The play’s VERISIMILITUDE won praise from critics.

Synonyms: realism, lifelikeness, authenticity