AP Lang Tone Words

acerbic

sharp and forthright (especially of a comment or style of speaking)

admonitory

giving or conveying a warning or reprimand

acerbic

sharp and forthright (especially of a comment or style of speaking)

admonitory

giving or conveying a warning or reprimand

ambivalent

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

apathetic

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

authoritative

reliable, able to be trusted as being accurate or true: conveys confidence, expertise, and credibility

bitter

anger, resentment, pain

capricious

sudden, unpredictable, whimsical shifts in mood/attitude

caustic

harsh, negative, bitter, sharp in delivery

conciliatory

soothe or appeases, reconciles difference, promotes harmony/understanding

cynical

expresses doubt or distrust in sincerity of others, pessimistic or sarcastic

deferential

expresses or demonstrates respect and high regard, often towards someone of higher status or authority: polite, humble, willing to yield to opinions of others

didactic

educational, informs, instructs: clear instructions, logical arguments

droll

amusing, dry, understated

elegiac

mournful, sorrowful, lamenting: loss, grief, reflection

facetious

inappropriate humor

fervent

intense, passionate, sincere

flippant

disrespectful, shallow, frivolous, not serious

haughty

disdainful pride and arrogance, superiority, condescending towards others

indignant

displeasure or anger because something is unfair or wrong

irate

anger, fury, outrage— sharp, forceful language

irked

irritated, annoyed, displeased

jingoistic

extreme, aggressive patriotism

laudatory

praise, admiration, commendation

lugubrious

mournful, dismal, gloomy

macabre

grim, ghastly, gruesome- typically involves death, violence, or suffering

maudlin

tearful, sad, or emotional, foolishly sentimental

patronizing

speaker believes they are superior to unintelligent or incapable listener

pedantic

show off knowledge, focus on minor details, annoying or pretentious

pensive

quiet, thoughtful, melancholic or wistful

petulant

childish, unreasonable, annoyed, rude

pompous

exaggerated formality and self-importance, superiority

pretentious

attempting to appear more important, knowledgeable, or sophisticated- inflated language, self-importance

reverent

respectful, admiring, respectful

sardonic

disdainfully or skeptically humorous, mocking

vituperative

harsh, abusive, bitter

accusatory, amused, apologetic, cautionary, cheerful, compassionate, concerned, contemplative, condescending, critical, dejected, detached, diplomatic, disdainful, disgruntled, disgusted, distressed, earnest

exasperated, factual, fearful, frustrated, grave, harsh, hopeless, humorous, indifferent, informal, inspiring, ironic, joyous, mocking, mock-serious, mystified, nostalgic, objective, optimistic, passionate, patriotic

pessimistic, playful, reflective, regretful, remorseful, resigned, sarcastic, satirical, scathing, scornful, self-pitying, sentimental, solemn, spiritual, sympathetic, threatening, urgent, vituperative, wistful