Tone Descriptors

Abusive

Using harsh or insulting words or ill treatment

Admiring

Regarding something or someone with wonder

Aggressive

ready to attack or start fights; acting in a hostile way

Amused

Entertained or excited by mirth or humour

Angry

Feeling or showing strong displeasure aroused by real or supposed wrongs; resentful; irate

Ardent

Glowing with feeling

Arrogant

Making unwarrantable claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming

Bewildered

Confused or puzzled; perplexed

Biting

Cutting; sarcastic

Bitter

Characterised by intense animosity; distressful; hard to bear; cutting

Blaming

Finding fault; laying responsibility for a fault or error on a person or other cause

Bombastic

High-sounding; inflated; turgid

Calm

Tranquil; free from excitement

Compassionate

Having or showing a feeling of sorrow or pity for the suffering or misfortunes of another; sympathetic

Considered

Having carefully scrutinised or reflected on a situation; thoughtful and respectful

Conciliatory

Tending to overcome the distrust or hostility or a person or group through soothing or pacifying means; aiming to placate or win over

Condescending

Patronising; implying a gracious descent from a superior position

Confident

Having strong belief or full assurance; sure of oneself; bold

Critical

Inclined to find fault or to judge with severity; involving skilful judgement as to truth or merit

Curious

Desirous of learning or knowing; inquisitive

Cynical

Distrusting of the motives of others; having the characteristics of someone who doubts the goodness of human motives

Despondent

Depressed or dejected; having given up hope

Detached

Not interested; unconcerned; aloof

Diplomatic

Tactful; skilled in managing negotiations

Discouraged

Disheartened; dispirited; giving up after difficulty

Disgusted

Feeling strong distaste

Earnest

Serious in intention

Elated

In high spirits; proud; jubilant

Encouraging

Inspiring with courage

Enthusiastic

Ardent; full of lively interest

Excited

Stirred emotionally; agitated

Exultant

Triumphant; highly elated

Facetious

Intended to be amusing

Formal

Marked by ceremony; being in accordance with prescribed or customary forms;

Friendly

Favourably disposed; inclined to approve

Frustrated

Discontented because unable to achieve one's ends; thwarted

Gloomy

Melancholic; affected by or expressive of despondency

Hostile

Antagonistic; unfriendly; opposed in feeling

Humorous

Amusing; funny

Incredulous

Sceptical; indisposed to believe; not believing

Innocent

Harmless; free from any moral

Insolent

Boldly rude or disrespectful

Insulting

Rude; treating insolently or contemptuously

Ironic

Characterised by saying the opposite of what you mean for understatement or for playful or ridiculing effect

Judgemental

Inclined to pass judgement

Measured

Deliberate and restrained

Mocking

Characterised by ridicule or derision; ridiculing through mimicry; scoffing; jeering

Mysterious

Full of or characterised by secrets

Nonchalant

Coolly unconcerned

Nostalgic

Characterised by a longing and desire for home

Optimistic

Disposed to take a favourable view of things; characterised by hoping for the best or looking on the bright side of things

Outraged

Grossly offended about a violation of law

Passionate

Characterised by

Patronising

Characterised by condescension; condescending

Pessimistic

Characterised by a disposition to take the gloomiest possible view; taking a negative view of things; believing in the worst

Playful

Pleasantly humorous; sportive; frolicsome

Poignant

Keenly distressing to feelings; keen or strong mental appeal

Reasonable

Agreeable to reason or sound judgement; moderate

Reserved

Self-restrained; disposed to keep one's feelings

Respectful

Full of or characterised by treating others with consideration or regard

Restrained

Kept in check or under control

Sarcastic

Using harsh or bitter derision or irony; using sneering or cutting remarks

Sardonic

Bitterly ironic; sarcastic; sneering

Satirical

Characterised by the use of irony

Scathing

Intended to hurt feelings; scornful; contemptuous

Self-deprecating

Modest

Serious

Thoughtful; of grave

Sympathetic

Compassionate; exhibiting a capacity to enter into the feelings of another

Tender

Soft-hearted; compassionate

Thoughtful

Contemplative; meditative; reflective

Threatening

Menacing; characterised by an intention to inflict punishment

Troubled

Upset; worried; affected by difficulties

Vicious

Characterised by a brutal violence; spiteful; malignant; unpleasantly severe

Whimsical

Of an odd

Witty

Amusingly clever in perception and expression

Wrathful

Very angry