ap lit - tone words

Absurd

illogical; ridiculous; silly; implausible; foolish

Accusatory

suggesting someone has done something wrong, complaining

Acerbic

sharp; forthright; biting; hurtful; abrasive; severe

Admiring

approving; think highly of; respectful; praising

aggressive

hostile; determined; forceful; argumentative

aggrieved

indignant; annoyed; offended; disgruntled

ambivalent

having mixed feelings; uncertain; in a dilemma; undecided

amused

entertained; diverted; pleased

angry

incensed or enraged; threatening or menacing

animated

full of life or excitement; lively; spirited; impassioned; vibrant

apathetic

showing little interest; lacking concern; indifferent; unemotional

apologetic

full of regret; repentant; remorseful; acknowledging failure

appreciative

grateful; thankful; showing pleasure; enthusiastic

ardent

enthusiastic; passionate

arrogant

pompous; disdainful; overbearing; condescending; vain; scoffing

assertive

self-confident; strong-willed; authoritative; insistent

awestruck

amazed, filled with wonder/awe; reverential

belligerent

hostile; aggressive; combatant

benevolent

sympathetic; tolerant; generous; caring; well meaning

bitter

angry; acrimonious; antagonistic; spiteful; nasty

callous

cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless

candid

truthful, straightforward; honest; unreserved

caustic

making biting, corrosive comments; critical

cautionary

gives warning; raises awareness; reminding

celebratory

praising; pay tribute to; glorify; honour

chatty

informal; lively; conversational; familiar

colloquial

familiar; everyday language; informal; colloquial; casual

comic

humorous; witty; entertaining; diverting

compassionate

sympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kind

complex

having many varying characteristics; complicated

compliant

agree or obey rules; acquiescent; flexible; submissive

concerned

worried; anxious; apprehensive

conciliatory

intended to placate or pacify; appeasing

condescending

stooping to the level of one’s inferiors; patronising

confused

unable to think clearly; bewildered; vague

contemptuous

showing contempt; scornful; insolent; mocking

critical

finding fault; disapproving; scathing; criticizing

cruel

causing pain and suffering; unkind; spiteful; severe

curious

wanting to find out more; inquisitive; questioning

cynical

scornful of motives/virtues of others; mocking; sneering

defensive

defending a position; shielding; guarding; watchful

defiant

obstinate; argumentative; defiant; contentious

demeaning

disrespectful; undignified

depressing

sad, melancholic; discouraging; pessimistic

derisive

snide; sarcastic; mocking; dismissive; scornful

detached

aloof; objective; unfeeling; distant

dignified

serious; respectful; formal; proper

diplomatic

tactful; subtle; sensitive; thoughtful

disapproving

displeased; critical; condemnatory

disheartening

discouraging; demoralizing; undermining; depressing

disparaging

dismissive; critical; scornful

direct

straightforward; honest

disappointed

discouraged; unhappy because something has gone wrong

dispassionate

impartial; indifferent; unsentimental; cold; unsympathetic

distressing

heart-breaking; sad; troubling

docile

compliant; submissive; deferential; accommodating

earnest

showing deep sincerity or feeling; serious

egotistical

self-absorbed; selfish; conceited; boastful

empathetic

understanding; kind; sensitive

encouraging

optimistic; supportive

enthusiastic

excited; energetic

evasive

ambiguous; cryptic; unclear

excited

emotionally aroused; stirred

facetious

inappropriate; flippant

farcical

ludicrous; absurd; mocking; humorous and highly improbable

flippant

superficial; glib; shallow; thoughtless; frivolous

forceful

powerful; energetic; confident; assertive

formal

respectful; stilted; factual; following accepted styles/rules

frank

honest; direct; plain; matter-of-fact

frustrated

annoyed; discouraged

gentle

kind; considerate; mild; soft

ghoulish

delighting in the revolting or the loathsome

grim

serious; gloomy; depressing; lacking humor; macabre

gullible

naïve; innocent; ignorant

hard

unfeeling; hard-hearted; unyielding

humble

deferential; modest

humorous

amusing; entertaining; playful

hypercritical

unreasonably critical; hair splitting; nitpicking

impartial

unbiased; neutral; objective

impassioned

filled with emotion; ardent

imploring

pleading; begging

impressionable

trusting; child-like

inane

silly; foolish; stupid; nonsensical

incensed

enraged

incredulous

disbelieving; unconvinced; questioning; suspicious

indignant

annoyed; angry; dissatisfied

informative

instructive; factual; educational

inspirational

encouraging; reassuring

intense

earnest; passionate; concentrated; deeply felt

intimate

familiar; informal; confidential; confessional

ironic

the opposite of what is meant

irreverent

lacking respect for things that are generally taken seriously

jaded

bored; having had too much of the same thing; lack enthusiasm

joyful

positive; optimistic; cheerful; elated

judgmental

critical; finding fault; disparaging

laudatory

praising; recommending

light-hearted

carefree; relaxed; chatty; humorous

loving

affectionate; showing intense, deep concern

macabre

gruesome; horrifying; frightening

malicious

desiring to harm others or to see others suffer; ill-willed; spiteful