Tone Words

Satiric

mocking or ridiculing human vices or follies, often humorously

Poignant

deeply moving, touching, or evoking strong emotion

Allusive

making indirect references to something else (literature, history, etc.)

Vexed

irritated, annoyed, or troubled

Lugubrious

mournful, gloomy, or excessively sad

Pretentious

trying to impress by claiming greater importance, talent, or knowledge than is actually possessed

Sarcastic

using irony or sharp ridicule to mock or convey contempt

Turgid

pompous, inflated, or overly complicated in style or language

Clinical

detached, analytical, precise, or unemotional

Candid

honest, straightforward, or frank

Reverent

showing deep respect or admiration

Diffident

shy, hesitant, or lacking self-confidence

Didactic

intended to teach, often in a moralizing way

Melancholy

deeply sad or reflective

Mirthful

full of joy, amusement, or laughter

Whimsical

playful, fanciful, or imaginative

Taunting

mocking or provoking someone in a hurtful way

Insipid

dull, bland, or lacking interest or flavor

Stolid

unemotional, calm, and dependable

Nostalgic

longing for or remembering the past fondly

Detached

emotionally uninvolved, impartial, or objective

Pedantic

overly concerned with minor details or rules, often in teaching

Somber

serious, dark, or gloomy in tone

Patronizing

treating someone as inferior or condescending

Indignant

angry or upset at perceived unfairness or injustice

Mock-heroic

imitating heroic style in a humorous or exaggerated way

Irreverent

showing a lack of respect for things usually taken seriously

Eulogistic

praising someone or something highly, often in speech or writing

Sympathetic

showing understanding, compassion, or shared feelings

Flippant

not showing a serious or respectful attitude

Vitriolic

extremely bitter, harsh, or full of criticism