25 Better Tone Words

Somber

very sad and serious

Provocative

causing a strong reaction, meant to incite

Sentimental

resulting from feelings or emotions rather than reason

Fanciful

existing only in the imagination

Condescending

having or showing a feeling of superiority

Contemptuous

feeling or showing deep hatred or disapproval

Nostalgic

fondness for something in the past

Zealous

feeling or showing strong and energetic support

Irreverent

showing a lack of respect for someone or something usually taken seriously

Candid

truthful and straightforward

Didactic

designed or intended to teach people something

Satiric

humorous for the purpose of social or political change

Whimsical

unusual in a playful or amusing way

Elegiac

sorrow for that which is the past, never to return

Disdainful

strong disrespect or disapproval for something that doesn't deserve respect

Pedantic

overly concerned with minute details

Flippant

disrespectful lack of seriousness

Facetious

not meant to be taken seriously

Mock-heroic

adding a sense of importance to trivial things

Mock-serious

pretending to be thoughtful

Effusive

marked by excessive emotions

Pretentious

attempting to impress with skills not actually possessed

Contentious

quarrelsome, attempting to cause an argument

Sardonic

bitterly sarcastic, cynical

Insolent

rude, disrespectful