AP Comp Vocab

somber(adj)

1. Dark; gloomy. 2. Sad; serious.

poignant (adj) , poignantly (adv) ,

1. arousing emotion, deeply moving, touching. 2. keenly distressing; piercing or incisive. (They captured the poignant reunion on film.)

pretentious(adj), pretentiously (adv)

1. attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed. 2. making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious.

indignant(adj), indignantly (adv)

1. feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base 2.in a manner indicating anger or annoyance at something perceived as unfair.

Didactic (adj), Didactically (adv), Didacticism (noun)

1. intended for instruction; instructive 2.inclined to teach or lecture others too much 3.the art or science of teaching

diffident(adj)

1. modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.

unabashed(adj), unabasgedly(adv)

1. not ashamed, disconcerted, or apologetic; boldly certain of one's position. 2.not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.

incredulous (adj) , incredulously (adv)

1. not credulous; disinclined or indisposed to believe; skeptical. 2. indicating or showing unbelief:

elegaic(adj)/(n)

1. relating to or characteristic of an elegy. 2. verses in an elegiac meter.

satiric(adj), satirically(adv)

1. the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

wry(adj), wryly(adv)

1. using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor. 2.(of a person's face or features) twisted into an expression of disgust, disappointment, or annoyance.

mock-heroic(adj), mock-heroic(n)

1.(of a literary work or its style) imitating the style of heroic literature in order to satirize an unheroic subject. 2.a burlesque imitation of the heroic character or literary style.

urgent(adj), urgently(adv)

1.(of a state or situation) requiring immediate action or attention. 2.in a way which requires immediate action or attention.

Patronizing (adj) patronize (v)

1.Condescending, having a superior manner, treating as an inferior 2.to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward:

caustic(adj)

1.able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action 2. sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.

brazen(adj), brazenly(adv)

1.bold and without shame. 2.to face boldly or shamelessly

reticent(adj)

1.disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved.

malicious(adj), maliciously(adv)

1.full of, characterized by, or showing malice; intentionally harmful; spiteful 2.in a manner characterized by malice or ill will; with intent to do harm.

whimsical(adj), whimsically(adv)

1.given to whimsy or fanciful notions; capricious 2.playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way

forthright(adj), forthrightly(adv)

1.going straight to the point; frank; direct; outspoken 2.straight or directly forward; in a direct or straightforward manner

ironic(adj), ironically(adv), irony(n)

1.happening in the opposite way to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this 2.used to denote a paradoxical, unexpected, or coincidental situation. 3.the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

ambivalent (adj)

1.having mixed feelings about someone or something; being unable to choose between two (usually opposing) courses of action

lugubrious (adj) , lugubriously (adv) , lugubriousness (n)

1.looking or sounding sad and dismal. 2.mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner

petty(adj), pettiness(n)

1.of little importance; trivial. 2.undue concern with trivial matters, especially of a small-minded or spiteful nature.

pragmatic(adj), pragmatically(adv), pragmatism(n)

1.of or relating to a practical point of view or practical considerations. 2.in a sensible and realistic way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations 3.an approach that assesses the truth of meaning of theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application.

disdainful(adj), disdain(n)

1.showing or expressing disdain; scornful; disrespectful. 2.in a scornful way that shows disdain

seductive(adj), seductively(adv)

1.tending to seduce; enticing; beguiling; captivating 2.in a tempting and attractive manner; enticingly.

incensed(adj), incense(v)

1.very angry; enraged 2.make (someone) very angry

pompous(adj)

affectedly and irritatingly grand, solemn, or self-important

contemptous(adj), contemptously(adv)

showing contempt; scornful