AP Language Tone Vocabulary

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to tone, designed to enhance understanding and retention for the AP Language exam.

admiration

Worthy of respect and high approval.

ambivalent

Having mixed or contradictory feelings; feeling uncertain or indecisive.

antagonistic

In opposition; willing to go against.

apprehensive

Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

arrogant

Overbearingly prideful; claiming undue importance.

audacious

Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

authoritative

Strong, dictatorial, official; entitled to an opinion of weight.

bitter

Angry, hurt, or resentful because of one's bad experiences.

bombastic

Loud, strong, decisive; empty of meaning.

candid

Truthful and straightforward; frank.

condescending

Adopting a superior attitude; patronizing; lowering oneself to another level.

contemptuous

Disdainful; scornful.

dejected

Feeling depressed or dispirited.

distraught

Extremely upset and agitated.

didactic

Strongly and morally upright; inclined to teach.

elevated

Of a high intellectual or moral standard or level.

emphatic

Expressing forcibly and clearly.

empathetic

Showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

facetious

Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; jocular; flippant.

fanciful

Showing whimsy; imaginative, dreamlike.

frivolous

Treating something as if it has no worth or value.

galvanizing

Shocked or excited into taking action.

humorous

Eliciting light laughter, amusement.

indignant

Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived to be unfair treatment.

inquisitive

Unduly curious; eager for knowledge.

intrigue

To arouse curiosity or interest; fascinate; mysterious or fascinating quality.

melancholy

Feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause; gloomy.

mocking

Treating with ridicule or contempt; mimicking with scorn; making fun of someone in a cruel way.

nostalgic

Bittersweet longing for people or things of the past.

objective

Uninfluenced by emotions; fair, even handed.

outraged

Aroused by violent acts; resentful, angry.

pedantic

Overly concerned with knowledge gained by books or formal rules.

pious

Exhibiting religious reverence.

plaintive

Sad and mournful.

poignant

Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; emotionally moving.

pragmatic

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically.

provocative

To elicit a strong reaction.

remote

Emotionally removed; objective.

reproachful

Appointing blame; expressing disapproval.

restrained

To hold back; controlled.

reverent

Showing deep and great respect.

sarcastic

Marked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt.

sentimental

Prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.

shock

Feeling surprised or upset.

skeptical

Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.

somber

Dark; serious; oppressively solemn.

subjective

Taking place in a person's mind; personal; based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.

sympathetic

Feeling or expressing pity or consolation.

tense

Feelings of nerves or anxiety.

vexed

Mildly annoyed.

volatile

Tending to violence; explosive; fickle.

zealous

Showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.