Tone Words M-Z

melancholic

thoughtfully sad; characterized by or causing or expressing sadness

nonchalant / stolid

unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited

nonplussed

puzzled, perplexed, or confused

nostalgic

evokes a sentimental longing for the past

obdurate / recalcitrant

stubborn, disobedient

obsequious

overly obedient or submissive

patronizing

displaying or indicative of a condescending manner or tone

pedantic

ostentatious in one’s learning; overly concerned with minute details, especially in teaching

penitent

feeling or expressing sorrow, wrongdoing or sin; repentant; contrite

pensive

expressing or revealing thoughtfulness, usually marked by some sadness

petty

of little or no importance or consequence

poignant

keen or strong in mental appeal

pompous

characterized by an ostentatious display of importance

pretentious

characterized by assumption of or the appearance of importance or dignity

reticent / terse

disposed to be silent or not to speak freely, concise

reverent

deeply respectful; showing great esteem

risible

causing or capable of causing laughter, laughable; ludicrous

sanguine

cheerfully hopeful or confident

sardonic

characterized by scorn; mocking; cynical; sneering

somber

serious, grave, or gloomy

sophomoric

immature, juvenile, overconfident, conceited

strident

conspicuously or offensively loud; grating; sharply insistent on being heard

taunting

to reproach in a mocking or contemptuous manner

vexed

irritated; annoyed

vitriolic

very caustic; scathing

wry

humorously sarcastic or mocking

zealous

ardently active, devoted, or diligent