Tone Words

Section 1. Anger/Rudeness/Disrespect

  1. acerbic: expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way

  2. accusatory: assigning blame or fault

  3. admonitory: serving to caution; warning

  4. belligerent: hostile, aggressive, inclined to fight

  5. indignant: expressing anger at unjust actions or treatment; expressing offense

  6. threatening: menacing, ominous


Section 2. Arrogance

  1. authoritative: having the confident quality of someone who is respected/obeyed by others

  2. condescending: showing you believe you are more intelligent or better than others; patronizing

  3. contemptuous: showing deep hatred or disapproval

  4. disdainful: expressing contempt or derision for someone/something because you find it unworthy of respect

  5. haughty: arrogant; vainly proud

  6. imperious: condescendingly domineering or overbearing

  7. judgmental: critical, condemning, disapproving

  8. scornful: a feeling, attitude, or expression of dislike and derision for someone


Section 3. Sadness/Fear/Anxiousness

  1. despairing: desperate, a loss of all hope (hopeless)

  2. maudlin: foolishly or tearfully sentimental

  3. regretful: apologetic, remorseful

  4. resigned: having accepted something unpleasant that one cannot do anything about

  5. ominous: suggesting something menacing is going to happen in the future; threatening

  6. pessimistic: expecting the worst possible outcome

  7. wistful: having slightly sad thoughts about something that made you happy in the past


Section 4. Peacefulness/Sensitive Emotions

  1. hopeful: feeling or inspiring confidence about a future event

  2. nostalgic: a bittersweet (pleasure & sadness) longing for the past, wishing to experience it again

  3. optimistic: the tendency to expect the best possible outcome

  4. pensive: dreamily thoughtful, usually marked by some sadness

  5. reverent: showing awe, honor, respect, or even worship (related to ancestors, religion, etc.)

  6. sentimental: swayed by feeling; excessively emotional (love, pity, nostalgia)






Section 5. Happiness/Friendliness

  1. affectionate: feeling or showing a warm regard toward others

  2. ebullient: cheerful, lively, full of energy 

  3. effusive: expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an emotionally unrestrained, heartfelt manner; gushy 

  4. enthusiastic: showing intense and eager enjoyment and interest 

  5. fanciful: imaginative; playful 

  6. idealistic: naïve, unrealistically aiming for perfection 


Section 6. Neutral

  1. cautionary: admonitory 

  2. didactic: instructive; inclined to teach or moralize, often excessively

  3. frank: open and sincere in expression; straightforward

  4. impartial: not in favor of one side or the other; unbiased

  5. laconic: expressing much in few words; concise; succinct

  6. pedantic: excessively scholarly or bookish; ostentatious about one’s learning *

  7. prosaic: lacking in imaginativeness or originality


Section 7. Miscellaneous Emotions

  1. ardent: passionate, zealous, fiery

  2. cynical: believing people are generally selfish and dishonest; distrustful

  3. disingenuous: giving the false appearance of being honest or sincere (insincere)

  4. incredulous: expressing disbelief; skeptical

  5. saccharine: overly sweet and sentimental in a way that does not seem genuine

  6. sanctimonious: hypocritical show of religious devotion