Lang Tone Words Page 8

Somber

dismal, depressing, grave; gloomy; extremely serious

Sophomoric

suggesting the traditional sophomore; intellectually pretentious or overconfident but immature

Speculative

theoretical rather than practical; marked by questioning curiosity

Sprightly

animated, vivacious; lively; spirited

Stately

majestic; imposing in magnificence, elegance

Stern

firm, strict, or uncompromising; hard, harsh, or severe

Stolid

not easily stirred or moved mentally; unemotional, passive

Straightforward

direct; not roundabout; free from deceit; honest

Strident

making a harsh, insistent sound; grating; excessively and unpleasantly forceful

Subdued

quiet and reflective; depressed; repressed, controlled

Supercilious

haughtily disdainful-or contemptuous

Suspenseful

causing or arousing excited uncertainty about what may happen

Suspicious

openly distrustful; unwilling to confide; questionable

Sympathetic

feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy; compassionate; sympathizing; caring

Taunting

reproaching in a mocking, insulting, or contemptuous manner; provoking

Tender

soft or delicate; showing gentleness, concern, or sympathy

Tense

characterized by strain upon the nerves or feelings; marked by strain or suspense

Terse

neatly or effectively concise; brief and pithy; sparing in the use of words; abrupt

Thoughtful

showing consideration for others; contemplative; meditative; reflective

Threatening

tending to menace; causing alarm; ominous; sinister

Timorous

fearful; suffering from fear, nervousness, or a lack of confidence

Tragic

extremely mournful or .melancholy; pathetic; dreadful; disastrous or fatal

Tranquil

free from commotion or tumult; peaceful; calm; quiet

Uncertain

not confident, assured, or free from hesitancy; indefinite; unknown

Understated

restrained in manner; expressed in a subtle or effective way

Uneasy

uncomfortable, restless, or perturbed; causing anxiety; troubled

Urgent

compelling immediate action or attention; acute; dire; imperative; pressing

Vexed

irritated, annoyed; frustrated, worried

Vindictive

revengeful; spiteful; bitter; unforgiving

Vitriolic

caustic; scathing; filled with bitter criticism or malice

Waspish

expressing anger or irritation; snappish, petulant

Whimsical

given to fanciful notions; capricious; playfully quaint, especially in an appealing way

Wistful

marked by a feeling of vague or regretful longing or melancholy

Worshipful

showing adoration; showing great reverence

Wrathful

vehemently incensed and condemnatory; irate

Wry

devious; cleverly, often ironically or grimly humorous; expressing dry or mocking humor

Zealous

ardently active, devoted, or diligent; fervent; fervid; fanatical; devout