2nd tone vocab list

Acerbic

Acidic in temper, mood, or tone. Biting sting.

ex: “I congratulated the committee on their bold decision to fail in a brand-new way.”

Angst-ridden

Consumed by anxiety and fear. Worry

ex: “I lay awake replaying every mistake, convinced the weight in my chest was permanent.”

Averse

Having an active feeling of intense disgust or distaste

ex: “I avoided the offer instinctively, as if accepting it would contaminate me with consequences I wanted no part of.”

Benign

Of a gentle disposition; showing kindness and gentleness; of a mild type of character

ex: “I recognized the comment as harmless, carrying no threat, intent, or weight beyond its surface.”

Callous

Feeling no emotion or sympathy for others; completely uncaring

ex: “I dismissed their loss as irrelevant, nothing it without concern and moving on as if nothing of value had occurred.”

Credulous

Ready to believe with little proof; gullible

ex: “I accepted his explanation without scrutiny, assuming honesty.”

Deferent

Full of respect or esteem due a superior or and elder; showing regard for another’s wishes

ex: “I nodded along and agreed, despite having no idea what they were talking about.”

Dynamic

Having force or energy; marked by productive activity

ex: “I bounced between ideas mid-conversation, changing my energy and direction faster than my playlist on shuffle.”

Exasperated

Feeling irritation or annoyance; aggravated

ex: “I threw my hands up, muttering under my breath because explaining the same thing for the fifth time felt like teaching to a rock.”

Futile

Serving no useful purpose; completely ineffective

ex: “I tried fixing the Wi-Fi, even though it clearly hated me and all my efforts were destined to fail.”

Idiosyncratic

Peculiar in temperament— weirder version of meticulous

ex: “I wore mismatched socks and a hat indoors, fully aware it made no sense, but it pleased me.”

Indolent

Averse to activity, effort, or movement; habitually lazy

ex: “I stayed in bed all day, fully committed to nothing but doom scrolling in bed.”

Exultant

Filled with or expressing great joy or triumph; jubilant

ex: “I pumped my fists, grinning as I’d just scored the winning goal.”

Meticulous

Marked by excessive care in details—with purpose

ex: “Every spoon should line up with the napkin so that it may be aesthetically pleasing to look at.”

Narcissistic

Loving one’s own body or self; egoistic; egocentric

ex: “I was on facetime with my boyfriend but all I could look at was my own beautiful face.”

Portentous

Eliciting amazement or wonder; fateful and ominous

ex: “I cleared my throat dramatically, pausing as if the next words I spoke would alter the course of history.”

Trepid

Timorous; fearful—nervous

ex: “I hesitated at the door, stomach twisting, convinced the opening it would unleash something horrifying.”

Wrathful

Filled with strong vengeful anger

“I slammed my fists on the table and decided right there and then I would get revenge on her.”