Tone Words Lists #1-3

awe

solemn wonder

compassion

kind, humane, sympathetic

comic

amusing, funny

ecstatic

joyful, rapturous

sanguine

optimistic, cheerful

whimsical

odd, strange, fantastic; fun

accusatory

charging of wrong doing

belligerent

warlike, ready to fight or quarrel

arrogant

full of pride, haughty

critical

finding fault

condescending

patronizing, disdainful, superior

caustic

intense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting

cynical

questions the basic sincerity and goodness of people

derisive

ridiculing, mocking

satiric

ridiculing to show weakness in order to make a point, teach

distressed

painful, miserable

gloomy

darkness, sadness, rejection

pensive

reflective, often in a melancholy way

absurd

so unreasonable as to be ridiculous

frustrated

disappointed, defeated

didactic

author attempts to educate or instruct the reader

contemplative

thoughtful

conventional

lacking spontaneity, originality, and individuality

objective

an unbiased view-able to leave personal judgments aside

philosophical

reflective, rational, given to thought

earnest

intense, a sincere state of mind

erudite

learned, polished, scholarly

fanciful

using the imagination

impassioned

fiery, ardent

jovial

happy

optimistic

hopeful, cheerful

righteous

acting in a just, upright manner

sincere

without deceit or pretense; genuine

bitter

exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain or grief

choleric

hot-tempered, easily angered

callous

unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others

contemptuous

showing or feeling that something is worthless or lacks respect

disapproving

dislike, deplore, criticize

disparaging

belittling, discrediting

judgmental

authoritative and often having critical opinions

mocking

treating with contempt or ridicule

patronizing

air of condescension

sarcastic

sneering, caustic

morose

gloomy, sullen, surly, despondent

pessimistic

seeing the worst side of things; no hope

ribald

offensive in speech or gesture

hyperbolic

purposely exaggerated

imploring

begging, earnestly asking

jaded

tired, worn out; dulled or satiated

malicious

purposely hurtful

lyrical

expressing a poet's inner feelings; emotional; full of images

quizzical

odd, eccentric, amusing

reverent

treating a subject with honor and respect

reflective

illustrating innermost thoughts and emotions

incendiary/incensed

extremely angry

indignant

marked by anger; aroused by injustice

sulking

resentful, petulant

disdainful

scornful

haughty

proud and vain to the point of arrogance

self-righteous

regarding oneself as being morally superior to others

ridiculing

slightly contemptuous banter; making fun of

sardonic

scornfully and bitterly sarcastic

solemn

deeply earnest, tending toward sad reflection

tragic

disastrous, fatal

apathetic

indifferent due to lack of energy or concern

forthright

directly frank without hesitation

incredulous

showing doubt or disbelief

informative

giving information, instructive

intimate

very familiar

matter-of-fact

accepting of conditions; not fanciful or emotional

modest

shy or reserved

resigned

quiet, docile, unresisting, subservient

unassuming

not forward, modest

obsequious

polite and obedient in order to gain something