AP Language Tone Words 2022-23

Indignant

being angry because of an injustice.

Erudite

having or showing scholarly knowledge or learning.

Pretentious

attempting to impress by conveying greater importance, talent, culture, etc.

Sycophantic

sucking up an absurd amount to gain an advantage.

Resolute

determined or unwavering.

Self-deprecating

excessively modest; critical of oneself (usually humorously)

Flippant

uncaring about serious matters; disrespectful.

Meticulous

showing immense attention to detail.

Admonitory

serving to warn or reprimand.

Evocative

bringing strong imagery, memories, and feelings to mind.

Elusive

difficult to achieve or analyze.

Zealous

showing enthusiasm /passion for a cause.

Frivolous

characterized by a lack of seriousness.

Bombastic

inflated; high- sounding but with little meaning.

Nostalgic

a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time.

Trite

cliche; worn out; overused.

Arbitrary

based on random choice or personal whim.

Partisan

prejudiced in favor of a particular cause.

Pithy

short but clever or meaningful; aphoristic.

Iconoclastic

attacking traditional or popular ideas.

Snide

unkind or insulting in an indirect way.

euphoric

intensely excited; extremely happy

exuberant

energetic and excited

laudatory

expressing great praise for

placid

calm and peaceful

quixotic

exceedingly idealistic; foolishly impractical

saccharine

overly sweet; sappy

whimsical

playfully amusing; childlike

zealous

showing enthusiasm/passion for a cause

acrimonious

angry and bitter

antithetical

directly opposed or contrasted

apoplectic

overcome with intense anger

caustic

severely critical

indignant

being angry because of an injustice

petulant

easily irritated or annoyed

rancorous

bitter or resentful; cranky

vexed

perplexed, frustrated, or very worried

amenable

open and responsive to suggestion

evocative

bringing strong imagery, memories, and feelings to mind

grave

serious or solemn

nostalgic

a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time

pithy

short but clever or meaningful; aphoristic

pragmatic

dealing with things practically rather than theoretically

resolute

determined or unwavering

reverent

showing deep respect

facetious

playfully sarcastic in a humorous way

flippant

uncaring about serious matters; disrespectful

patronizing

condescending; conveying a feeling of superiority

pretentious

attempting to impress by conveying greater importance, talent, culture, etc

sardonic

sarcastic; cynical

snide

unkind or insulting in an indirect way

sycophantic

sucking up an absurd amount to gain an advantage

wry

satiric; mocking

cogent

convincing; reasonable

didactic

instructional; often seen as preachy

erudite

having or showing scholarly knowledge or learning

impartial

unbiased; fair and just

meticulous

showing immense attention to detail

partisan

prejudiced in favor of a particular cause

pedantic

concerned with superfluous details

subtle

delicately complex and understated

acerbic

sharp and forthright

admonitory

serving to warn or reprimand

callous

showing no sympathy for others

cynical

distrustful of human sincerity or integrity

derisive

expressing contempt or ridicule

iconoclastic

attacking traditional or popular ideas

sanctimonious

holier-than-thou attitude

self-deprecating

excessively modest; critical of oneself (usually humorously)

ambivalent

having mixed feelings about something

arbitrary

based on random choice or personal whim

elusive

difficult to achieve or analyze

frivolous

characterized by a lack of seriousness

incredulous

skeptical; unbelieving

tentative

uncertain and hesitant

tenuous

shaky or weak (reasoning)

trite

cliche; worn out; overused

bombastic

inflated; high-sounding but with little meaning

candid

open and honest; straightforward

colloquial

informal; conversational; familiar

conciliatory

intended to pacify or appease

diffident

timid; reserved

haughty

arrogantly proud

insipid

lacking vigor or substance; flat

poignant

evoking sadness and regret; tragic