AP Lang Tone Words 2025 (copy)

Acerbic

bitter and cutting

Adamant

refusing to be persuaded; unwavering

Apprehensive

viewing the future with anxiety or alarm

Aloof

distant or seemingly indifferent

Belligerent

hostile; aggressive

Bemused

bewildered and confused

Candid

free from reservation; honest

Zealous

fervent; enthusiastic

Wry

cleverly or ironically humorous

Choleric

hot-tempered, angered easily

Didactic

excessively instructive, often a moral lesson

Euphoric

extremely happy

Fatalistic

accepting that all events are inevitable and unavoidable

Grave

serious; dignified

Haughty

arrogant and lofty

Insipid

dull, bland, and uninteresting

Ludicrous

laughable because of obvious absurdity

Laudatory

praising

Pensive

thoughtful; brooding

Venerative

showing awe, respect, reverence

Conciliatory

peace making; attempting to regain trust

Derisive

ridiculing; mocking

Elegiac

expressing sorrow, perhaps about something from the past

Expectant

marked by eager anticipation

Fervent

earnest; passionate

Indignant

marked by anger toward an injustice

Incredulous

skeptical

Lethargic

indifferent; apathetic; lazy

Pedantic

showing off one's learning

Moralistic

showing a concern for correct beliefs and actions

Affable

friendly, good-natured; easy to talk to

Disdainful

scornful (expressing contempt)

Effusive

expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner

Evasive

slippery; intentionally vague

Facetious

playfully humorous

Grim

dismal; gloomy

Self-deprecating

tending to undervalue oneself and one's abilities

Stolid

unemotional; not easily stirred up

Timorous

fearful or cautious

Vexed

very biting and harsh; acidic

Ambivalent

displaying conflicting feelings

Antagonistic

in opposition, purposefully arousing animosity or hostility

Audacious

daring, bold

Droll

amusing in an odd or wry way

Flippant

to lack proper respect or seriousness

Inflammatory

inciting anger, hostility, passion

Insolent

boldly rude or disrespectful

Patronizing

offensively condescending

Sardonic

bitterly sarcastic, more hurtful or scornful than just sarcastic

Strident

commanding attention by being loud or obvious