APLit Tone Word List

shoenberger am i right

acerbic

sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone. Acerbic commentary

ambivalent

having or showing simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings toward something or someone

apathetic

having or showing little or no interest, concern, or emotion. Apathetic voters

belligerent

inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness. A belligerent nation

bitter

marked by cynicism and rancor. Bitter complaints

candid

marked by honest sincere expression. A candid discussion

choleric

easily moved to often unreasonable or excessive anger : hot-tempered. A choleric neighbor

colloquial

used in or characteristic of familiar and informal conversation.

conciliatory

intended to gain goodwill or favor or to reduce hostility.

contemptuous

manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval

contentious

likely to cause disagreement or argument. A contentious issue

curt

marked by rude or peremptory shortness. A curt refusal. Also, sparing of words. Curt sentences.

derisive

expressing or causing contemptuous ridicule or scorn. Derisive laughter

derogatory

expressive of a low opinion

diffident

hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of

earnest

characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind. A proposal made in Earnest

ebullient

having or showing liveliness and enthusiasm. Ebullient performers

effusive

marked by the expression of great or excessive emotion or enthusiasm. Effusive praise

elegiac

expressing sorrow often for something now past. An elegiac lament for someone who has died

euphoric

marked by a feeling of great happiness and excitement.

facetious

joking or jesting often inappropriately

fatalistic

a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them

fervent

exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling. Fervent patriotism

flippant

lacking proper respect or seriousness

grave

meriting serious consideration. Grave problems.

haughty

blatantly and disdainfully proud. Haughty aristocrats.

Impartial

not partial or biased : treating or affecting all equally

incisive

impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation). An Incisive analysis.

incredulous

unwilling to admit or accept what is offered as true. An incredulous stare.

indifferent

marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for something. Indifferent to suffering and poverty

indignant

feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy. An indignant response to an accusation.

insolent

insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct. An insolent response to one’s enemy.

irreverent

lacking proper respect or seriousness

jocund

marked by or suggestive of high spirits and lively mirthfulness.

laudatory

of, relating to, or expressing praise. A laudatory book review.

lethargic

of, relating to, or characterized by laziness or lack of energy

lugubrious

exaggeratedly or affectedly mournful

nostalgic

longing for or thinking fondly of a past time or condition. Nostalgic for one’s youth.

pedantic

narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned.

pensive

musingly or dreamily thoughtful. A pensive poet

reticent

inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech

sanguine

marked by eager hopefulness : confidently optimistic.

sardonic

disdainfully or skeptically humorous : derisively mocking

serene

marked by or suggestive of utter calm and unruffled repose or quietude

somber

so shaded as to be dark and gloomy. A somber funeral procession

strident

characterized by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound. A strident voice.

timorous

of a timid disposition : fearful

vitriolic

bitterly harsh or caustic language or criticism

wistful

full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy. A wistful memory.

zealous

marked by fervent partisanship for a person, a cause, or an ideal. A zealous dedication to a cause.