tone words M-Z

meditative

deeply or seriously thoughtful

mock

pretending to be serious, disingenuous

mock-heroic

imitating that which is heroic

moralistic

characterized by or displaying a concern with morality

mournful

feeling or expressing sorrow or grief

nonchalant

coolly unconcerned, indifferent or unexcited

nostalgic

longing for past events

obdurate

stubborn or unyielding to moral influence

objective

based on facts, unbiased

obsequious

overly obedient or submissive

ominous

foreboding, threatening, inauspicious

optimistic

disposed to take a favorable view and expect the most favorable outcome

oratorical

speech like quality

outraged

angered and resentful

overbearing

domineering, dictatorial, or rudely arrogant

paranoid

exhibiting irrational fear or distrust

patronizing

having a condescending manner or tone

pedantic

overly concerned with minute details esp in teaching

penitent

feeling or expressing sorrow, wrongdoing, or sin

pensive

expressing or revealing thoughtfulness, usually marked by some sadness

petty

of little or no importance or consequence

placid

pleasantly calm or peaceful

playful

pleasantly humorous or jesting

poignant

keen or strong in mental appeal

pretentious

characterized by assumption of importance or dignity

provocative

tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate

reassuring

to restore to assurance or confidence

recalcitrant

resisting authority or control

reminiscent

awakening memories of something similar

resigned

submissive or acquiescent

respectful

full of or showing politeness or deference

reticent

disposed to be silent or not speak freely

reverent

deeply respectful

righteous

believing ones self to be morally right and just

romantic

characterized by a preoccupation with love

sanguine

cheerfully hopeful or confident

sardonic

characterized by scorn, mocking, cynical

satiric

exposing ridicule or derision

scholarly

concerned with academic learning and research

self deprecating

belittling or undervaluing oneself

sentimental

overly emotional

skeptical

marked by doubt or questioning

solemn

grave, sober, or mirthless

sophomoric

intellectually pretentious, confident, conceited

speculative

theoretical rather than practical

stately

imposing in elegance

stolid

not easily stirred or moved mentally

straightforward

direct and honest

strident

making or having a harsh sound

suspenseful

characterized by or causing suspense

suspicious

openly distrustful

sympathetic

characterized by or feeling sympathy

terse

neatly or effectively concise

thoughtful

showing consideration for others

vexed

irritated or annoyed

vitriolic

very caustic, scathing

wistful

characterized by melancholy, longing or yearning

zealous

ardently active, devoted, or diligent