AP Language: Tone Words

accusatory

charging of wrong doing

acerbic

bitter, sharp in taste or temper

admiring

regarding with approval or respect

aggressive

assertive, vigorously active, quick to attack; hostile

ambivalent

Uncertain; unable to decide, or wanting to do two contradictory things at once

amused

pleasurably entertained

animated

lively; spirited

apathetic

Feeling or showing little emotion; indifferent

apologetic

sorry; showing regret

appreciative

expressing or feeling thankfulness

ardent

Enthusiastic or passionate

arrogant

haughty, too convinced of one's own importance

assertive

Acting with confidence and force; sure of one's self

belligerent

Hostile and aggressive

benevolent

Kind

bitter

exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain or grief

callous

Emotionally hardened, unfeeling

candid

Impartial and honest in speech

celebratory

congratulatory, honoring

compassionate

Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

concerned

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

conciliatory

Appeasing; soothing; showing willingness to reconcile

condescending

possessing an attitude of superiority, patronizing

contemptuous

Feeling hatred; scornful

curious

inquisitive

cynical

believing that people act only out of selfish motives; bitterly pessimistic

defensive

Protecting oneself from something.

defiant

Boldly resistant or challenging

demeaning

causing someone to lose their dignity and the respect of others; degrading

derisive

expressing contempt or ridicule; mocking

detached

Impartial, disinterested; unconcerned, distant, aloof

dignified

worthy of respect

disheartening

discouraging

disparaging

disapproving; belittle

docile

Easy to teach or manage; obedient

dogmatic

dictatorial in one's opinions; stubborn

earnest

Serious and sincere

egotistical

excessively self-centered; conceited

empathetic

identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives

enthusiastic

zealous

evasive

not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from by deceit

facetious

humorous, not meant seriously; sarcastic

flippant

Lacking in seriousness; disrespectful, saucy

forceful

Vehement; compelling

formal

following rules or customs, often in an exact and proper way

frank

honest

grim

a facial expression of fear, disapproval, or pain

humble

modest

humorous

facetious; funny

impartial

unbiased, fair

inane

Foolish

incensed

angered at something unjust or wrong

incredulous

Disbelieving, skeptical

indignant

Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment

intimate

marked by close acquaintance

ironic

satiric; unexpected

irreverent

disrespectful

jaded

Worn out; wearied

judgmental

critical; disapproving

laudatory

expressing praise

macabre

horrible; grim

malicious

Intended to hurt or harm

mocking

in an insincere or pretending manner

mourning

the act of showing sorrow or grief

naive

lacking sophistication or experience

narcissistic

Conceited; having excessive self-love or admiration

nostalgic

longing for the past

objective

Factual, related to reality or physical objects; not influenced by emotions, unbiased

obsequious

Overly submissive and eager to please

optimistic

Hopeful, cheerful

outraged

angered at something unjust or wrong

outspoken

candid

patronizing

Condescending, having a superior manner, treating as an inferior

pensive

Thoughtful

pessimistic

a tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable.

philosophical

calm and wise; reasonable

Interested in the study of basic truths of existence and reality

pragmatic

Practical

pretentious

done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one's skill or abilities, ambitious

resentful

angry due to a feeling of being treated unfairly

resigned

accepting one's fate; unresisting; patiently submissive

reverent

deeply respectful

righteous

morally justified

satirical

criticizing through ridicule

sarcastic

caustic; ironic

scathing

bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm

scornful

contemptuous; disdainful

sentimental

A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience.

sincere

earnest

skeptical

Doubtful

solemn

serious

subjective

Existing in the mind or relating to one's own thoughts, opinions, emotions, etc.; personal, individual, based on feelings

submissive

docile; meek

sulking

sad, pouting, usually silent

sympathetic

Compassionate

thoughtful

pensive; reflective

tolerent

open-minded, accepting of others

unassuming

modest

urgent

compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands

vindictive

Revengeful

witty

Clever or amusing