Lang & Comp (AP/CHS) Tone Words

acerbic

harsh or corrosive in tone

admonishing

expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective

agitated

troubled emotionally and usually deeply

ambivalent

uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow

amused

pleasantly occupied

anxious

causing or fraught with or showing nervousness

apathetic

showing little or no emotion or animation

audacious

unrestrained by convention or propriety

befuddled

confused and vague, especially of thinking

bellicose

having or showing a ready disposition to fight

bitter

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

brash

offensively bold

callous

emotionally hardened

candid

openly straightforward and direct without secretiveness

conciliatory

intended to placate

condescending

characteristic of those who treat others with arrogance

contemplative

deeply or seriously thoughtful

curt

brief and to the point

cynical

believing the worst of human nature and motives

demure

shy or modest, often in a playful or provocative way

derisive

expressing contempt or ridicule

didactic

instructive, especially excessively

disdainful

showing arrogant superiority to those one views as unworthy

disgruntled

in a state of sulky dissatisfaction

dubious

fraught with uncertainty or doubt

earnest

devout or heartfelt

empathetic

showing ready comprehension of others' states

facetious

cleverly amusing in tone

flippant

showing an inappropriate lack of seriousness

foreboding

ominously prophetic

hostile

characterized by enmity or ill will

ingratiating

calculated to please or gain favor

inquisitive

showing curiosity

irreverent

showing lack of due respect or veneration

judicious

marked by the exercise of common sense in practical matters

laudatory

full of or giving praise

malicious

having the nature of threatening evil

mocking

expressing contempt or ridicule

morose

showing a brooding ill humor

nostalgic

unhappy about being away and longing for familiar things

objective

undistorted by emotion or personal bias

optimistic

hopeful that the best will happen in the future

pedantic

marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning

perceptive

of or relating to awareness via the senses

pessimistic

expecting the worst possible outcome

petulant

easily irritated or annoyed

poignant

arousing powerful emotions, especially pity or sadness

polemical

of or involving dispute or controversy

pragmatic

concerned with practical matters

puerile

displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity

reproachful

expressing disapproval, blame, or disappointment

reserved

marked by self-restraint and reticence

respectful

exhibiting an attitude of admiration or esteem

reverent

feeling or showing profound respect or veneration

sardonic

disdainfully or ironically humorous

self-effacing

reluctant to draw attention to yourself

skeptical

marked by or given to doubt

solemn

dignified and somber in manner or character

somber

grave or even gloomy in character

strident

being sharply insistent on being heard

sympathetic

expressing compassion or friendly fellow feelings

tentative

hesitant or lacking confidence; unsettled in mind or opinion

unctuous

unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating

urgent

compelling immediate action

vehement

marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions

vibrant

vigorous and animated

wary

marked by keen caution and watchful prudence

wistful

showing pensive sadness

witty

demonstrating striking cleverness and humor

zealous

marked by active interest and enthusiasm