AP Lang Tone words

acerbic

harsh pr severe as of temper of expression

ambivalent

having mixed feelings about someone or something

benevolent

characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings

candid

truthful and straightforward, true

contemptuous

expressing lack of respect and hatred

condescending

acting or speaking in a way that demonstrates a feeling of superiority/ in a patronizing way

cryptic

mysterious in meaning, puzzling, ambiguous, secret, occult

colloquial

familiar conversation rather than formal speech writing

clinical

dispassionately analytic, strictly objective

cynical

contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives; based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest

despondent

showing hopelessness; discouraged

didactic

intended to teach; instructive

disdainful

scornful, to look upon or treat with contempt, despise

elegiac

Having a mournful quality.

enigmatic

Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious

euphoric

intensely happy; confident

facetious

not meant to be taken seriously or literally, amusing or humerous, lacking serious intent.

flippant

not showing a serious or respectful attitude

frivolous

lack of seriousness or sense; carefree

grandiose

affectedly grand or important

hostile

unfriendly; antagonistic, argumentative

iconoclastic

attacking or ignoring cherished beliefs and long-held traditions, etc., as being based on error, superstition, or lack of creativity

introspective

the examination of one's own thoughts, impressions, and feelings, esp for long periods

impartial

not bias or partial, treated equally without outside influence

indignant

Expressing anger at something seen as unfair treatment

irreverent

manifesting or characterized without respect; mockery, insulting

laconic

using or involving the use of a minimum of words : concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious

laudatory

containing or expressing praise

moralistic

Distinction between "right" and "wrong" in writing.

maternal/paternal

Acting motherly or fatherly; protective, sympathetic, affectionate, caring, loving

nostalgic

Experiencing or exhibiting nostalgia, a sentimental or wistful yearning for the happiness felt in a former place, time, or situation.

obsequious

1. Showing obedience and submission. 2. Overly flattering in order to please or receive favor.

ostentatious

intended to attracted notice, flashy

poignant

Keen or strong on mental appeal.

pedantic

1. ostentatious in one's learning.

2.overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, especially in teaching.

patronizing

displaying of an offensively condescending manner

pithy

1. Concise and forcefully expressive 2.Precisely meaningful; forceful and brief

precocious

Premature development

ribald

Vulgar or offensive in language or content

rueful

1. Causing sorrow or pity; pitiable; deplorable

2. Feeling, showing, or expressing sorrow or pity; mournful; doleful

sarcastic

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

sardonic

characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking;cynical ;sneering.

scathing

bitterly severe; harmful, searing

sympathetic

characterized by, proceeding from, exhibiting, or feeling sympathy;sympathizing; compassionate: a sympathetic listener.

suspenseful

to be apprehending or anxious because of not knowing the outcome of something, excitingly uncertain

somber

gloomy dark, sad, melancholy

supercilious

Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.

tranquil

Free from disturbance; calm, serene, placid, restful, quiet

vociferous

characterized by vehemence, clamour, or noisiness

whimsical

determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason