AP Lit Tone Words

Abashed

ashamed or embarrassed; disconcerted.

Acerbic

harsh or severe, as of temper or expression.

Ambivalent

uncertainty or fluctuation, esp. when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things.

Antagonistic

acting in opposition; opposing, esp. mutually/hostile; unfriendly.

Apathetic

having or showing little or no emotion/not interested or concerned; indifferent or unresponsive.

Bemused

bewildered or confused/lost in thought; preoccupied.

Brusque

abrupt in manner; blunt; rough.

Candid

frank; outspoken; open and sincere/free from reservation, disguise, or subterfuge; straightforward.

Capricious

flighty; led by whims; erratic.

Caustic

making biting, corrosive comments.

Colloquial

characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.

Conciliatory

To overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease.

Condemnatory

To express strong disapproval.

Contented

Desiring no more than what one has; satisfied./ Ready to accept or acquiesce; willing.

Derisive

characterized by or expressing derision; contemptuous; mocking.

Despairing

To be overcome by a sense of futility or defeat/ To lose all hope.

Didactic

intended for instruction; instructive.

Disdainful

expressing extreme contempt.

Earnest

serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous.

Ebullient

overflowing with fervor, enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited.

Facetious

not meant to be taken seriously or literally/ amusing; humorous.

Flippant

frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity.

Foreboding

a strong inner feeling or notion of future misfortune, evil, etc.; presentiment.

Grave

serious or solemn; sober/weighty, momentous or important/ threatening a seriously bad outcome or involving serious issues; critical.

Indignant

feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base.

Irreverent

showing lack of due respect or veneration.

Jovial

endowed with or characterized by a hearty, joyous humor or a spirit of good-fellowship.

Laudatory

containing or expressing praise.

Mirthful

joyous; gay; jolly; arousing or provoking laughter.

Nonplussed

totally puzzled, perplexed, or confused.

Nostalgic

unhappy about being away and longing for familiar things or persons.

Obsequious

overly obedient and/or submissive.

Penitent

feeling or expressing sorrow for sin or wrongdoing and disposed to atonement and amendment; repentant; contrite.

Pompous

characterized by an ostentatious display of dignity or importance.

Provocative

serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate; tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing.

Resigned

submissive or acquiescent.

Reticent

disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved, restrained.

Reverent

deeply respectful; showing great esteem.

Sanguine

cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident.

Somber

gloomy, depressing, or dismal; extremely serious; grave.

Stately

majestic; imposing in magnificence, elegance, etc.

Strident

making or having a harsh sound; grating; creaking.

Subdued

quiet; inhibited; repressed; controlled.

Taunting

To reproach in a mocking, insulting, or contemptuous manner.

Terse

neatly or effectively concise; brief and pithy, as language.

Vexed

irritated; annoyed.

Whimsical

given to whimsy or fanciful notions: capricious.

Wistful

characterized by melancholy; longing; yearning; pensive.

Wrathful

vehemently incensed and condemnatory; very angry; ireful.

Zealous

ardently active, devoted, or diligent.