AP Lang Tone Words

Awestruck

deeply impressed or amazed, almost speechless, sometimes connected to dread

Reverent

Respectful, worshipful, or awed. Deep respect for something

Caustic

Harshly critical, biting, sarcastic, and deeply cutting

Callous

Insensitive and cruel disregard for others

Grave

Serious, solemn, somber

Clinical

extremely objective, realistic, dispassionate, and unemotional

Indignant

Feeling/showing anger due to something you see is wrong, unjust

Forthright

Completely honest in speech/behavior, not hiding true thoughts. Commonly directed at a different person.

Pensive

Engaged in deep, serious quiet thought, often with a hint of wistfulness=, melancholy, or sadness. Moody

Didactic

Designed or intended to teach a person something, especially a moral lesson

Objective

Unbiased, neutral, relying purely on observable facts.

Grim

Stern, harsh, forbidding, unyielding

Irreverent

Lacking proper respect for authority, sacred things, or tradition

Pompous

Arrogant, self important, ostentatiously grand

Cynical

Contemptuously distrustful or human nature and motives

Condescending

Patronizing or superior attitude toward others

Inflammatory

Provocative, inciting anger or violence

Insolent

Boldly rude, disrespectful, impudent. Implies authority figure.

Erudite

Scholarly, learned, or highly knowledgeable

Contemplative

Thoughtful, reflective, meditative, deep in thought.

Colloquial

Informal word or phrase used in everyday casual speech rather than in formal writing.

Cavalier

Dismissive or carefree attitude towards serious matters. Careless

Matter-of-fact

Concerned with facts only, not imaginative or fanciful, objective

Urgent

Earnest, requiring immediate action or attention

Audacious

bold, daring, disrespectful of conventional norms

Bantering

playful, teasing, lighthearted conventional exchange

Sincere

Heartfelt, honest, authentic. Genuine emotion

Zealous

Having or showing intense enthusiasm, passion or devotion to a cause, belief or goal. Can have a negative connotation

Patronizing

Speaking or behaving toward someone in a way that seems kind and helpful, but actually shows a feeling of superiority

Derisive

expressing or showing contempt, scorn or ridicule. Malevolent, mean spirited

Earnest

Deep seriousness, warmth, and honesty, rather than joking or acting playfully. Similar to sincere.

Fervent

Strong sincere feelings, deep emotion or intense enthusiasm

Self-deprecating

Belittling, undervaluing, or making fun of yourself, your abilities, or your achievements

Facetious

treating serious issues with inappropriate humor or saying things you do not mean to be funny

Haughty

arrogantly superior, proud, disdainful

Sardonic

Disdainfully or cynically humorous, mockingly sarcastic. Dripping with indignation or anger

Resigned

calm, patient acceptance of an unpleasant situation that you cannot change. Accepting fate

Bitter

Feeling angry, hurt, or resentful due to bad past experiences

Elegiac

Expressing sorrow, mournful, lamenting something lost or past. Specifically tied to loss

^Reflective

Thoughtful, deliberative, examining past experiences or ideas

Apathetic

Uncaring, uninvolved, showing a lack of interest or concern

Disdainful

Scornful, showing contempt or lack of respect

Defiant

Showing bold resistance or a challenge to authority

Effusive

Show an overflow of enthusiasm, emotion, or praise towards something. Positive manner.

Laudatory

Express admiration, praise, and high commendation for something.

Exuberant

To be filled with lively energy, loud enthusiasm, and cheerful, unrestrained joy

Benevolent

To be kind, well-meaning, and showing a desire to help others

Wistful

Marked by vague longing, nostalgic sadness for something past.

Solemn

Being dignified, serious, and formal in behavior or expression.