Chapter 6 Tone and Attitude 206-225

wistful

longing and yearning, tinged with melancholy (long-lasting sadness) and pensiveness

earnest

serious in intention or purpose; showing depth and sincerity of feelings

disgruntled

angry; dissatisfied; annoyed; impatient; irritated

discontended

angry; dissatisfied; annoyed; impatient; irritated

authoritative

commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed, based on competent authority

frivolity

the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible

frivolous

lacking any serious purpose or value; given to trifling or levity

acerbic

harsh, bitter, sharp, caustic

acrid

harsh, bitter, sharp, caustic

solemn

not cheerful or smiling; serious; gloomy

grave

not cheerful or smiling; serious; gloomy

somber

not cheerful or smiling; serious; gloomy

inquisitive

curious; inquiring

reflective

engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought, usually marked by sadness or melancholy

pensive

engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought, usually marked by sadness or melancholy

equivocal

ambiguous; open to interpretation; having several equally possible meanings

equivocate

to avoid making an explicit statement; to hedge; to use vague or ambiguous language

deferrential

respectful; dutiful

ebullient

feeling or expressing great happiness or triumph

elated

feeling or expressing great happiness or triumph

ecstatic

feeling or expressing great happiness or triumph

euphoric

feeling or expressing great happiness or triumph

exuberant

feeling or expressing great happiness or triumph

benevolent

well-meaning; kindly

malevolent

wishing evil to others; showing ill will

whimsical

playful; fanciful; capricious; given to whimsies or odd notions

vindictive

having a strong desire for revenge

prosaic

dull; uninteresting; ordinary; commonplace; tedious; pedestrian; vapid; banal; hackneyed; unexceptional

mundane

dull; uninteresting; ordinary; commonplace; tedious; pedestrian; vapid; banal; hackneyed; unexceptional

vitriolic

bitter; caustic; acerbic; filled with malice

conciliatory

appeasing; intending to placate

despairing

showing the loss of all hope

inflammatory

arousing; intended to inflame a situation or ignite angry or violent feelings