AP Literature Tone Flashcards

A vocabulary flashcard set covering tone words and their definitions for AP Literature review.

admiration

worthy of respect and high approval

ambivalent

having mixed or contradictory feelings; feeling uncertain or indecisive

antagonistic

in opposition; willing to go against

benevolent

characterized or suggestive of doing good unto others

bitter

angry, hurt, or resentful because of one's bad experiences or a sense of unjust treatment

bleak

cold and empty; without hope

candid

truthful and straightforward; frank

celebratory

feeling happy to mark a specific event, success, or holiday

condescending

adopting a superior attitude; patronizing; lowering oneself to another level

contemptuous

disdainful; scornful

cynical

doubtful of the good intentions or sincerity of others; skeptical

despair

complete lack of hope

detached

not connected or emotionally involved

distraught

extremely upset and agitated

elegiac

sad or mournful; expressing sorrow for the past or someone from the past

empathetic

ability to understand & share the feelings of another

fanciful

showing whimsy; imaginative, dreamlike

hopeful

to feel optimistic that a future event will turn out well

humorous

eliciting light laughter, amusement

indignant

anger or annoyance at perceived unjust treatment

intrigue

mysterious or fascinating quality

isolated

to feel apart, alone, or away from people, places, and things

melancholy

a 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

plaintive

sad and mournful

poignant

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; emotionally moving

provocative

to elicit a strong reaction

reverence

deep and great respect

sanguine

cheerfully optimistic, especially in difficult situations

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

somber

dark; serious; oppressively solemn

sympathetic

feeling or expressing pity or consolation

tense

feelings of nerves or anxiety

tranquil

quiet, calm, and peaceful

vibrant

full of life and energy; striking and vivid