Tone Words

Abrasive(tone) – sharply disagreeable or harsh

Abstract – the opposite of concrete – abstract adjectives are like peace and honor – require interpretation; exists in thought or as an idea…

Ambivalent – simultaneously contains contradictory feelings or attitudes toward an object, subject, person, or action – contains uncertainty or fluctuation

Apathetic – having or showing little or no emotion/ not interested or concerned; indifferent or unresponsive

Ardent – enthusiastic, passionate

Audacious – Bold, adventurous, fearless

Austere – severe, stern, strict, or harsh

Authoritative - having an air of authority; accustomed to exercising authority; positive; used to influence or gain power

Bemused - bewildered or confused/ lost in thought; preoccupied

Benevolent - characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings; sympathetic; tolerant; caring

Bookish – academic and scholarly

Callous – cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless

Caustic – making biting, corrosive comments; critical

Celebratory – praising; pay tribute to; glorify; honor

Compassionate – sympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kind

Conciliatory – intended to placate or pacify; appeasing

Condescending – stooping to the level of one’s inferiors; patronizing

Contemptuous – showing contempt; scornful; insolent; mocking

Cynical – scornful of motives or virtues; mocking; sneering

Detached – aloof; objective; unfeeling; distant

Dignified – serious; respectful; formal; proper

Disparaging or Disdainful – Showing contempt or lack of respect; critical; scornful

Effusive – expressing feelings of gratitude or pleasure

Empathetic – understanding; kind; sensitive

Encouraging – Optimistic; supportive

Enthusiastic – excited; energetic

Erudite – scholarly, educated, intellectual

1. 1. Abrasive(tone) – sharply disagreeable or harsh
2. Abstract – the opposite of concrete – abstract adjectives are like peace and honor – require interpretation;
exists in thought or as an idea...
3. Ambivalent – simultaneously contains contradictory feelings or attitudes toward an object, subject, person, or
action – contains uncertainty or fluctuation
4. Apathetic – having or showing little or no emotion/ not interested or concerned; indifferent or unresponsive
5. Ardent – enthusiastic, passionate
6. Audacious – Bold, adventurous, fearless
7. Austere – severe, stern, strict, or harsh
8. Authoritative - having an air of authority; accustomed to exercising authority; positive; used to influence or gain
power
9. Bemused - bewildered or confused/ lost in thought; preoccupied
10. Benevolent - characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings; sympathetic; tolerant; caring
11. Bookish – academic and scholarly
12. Callous 1. Abrasive(tone) – sharply disagreeable or harsh
2. Abstract – the opposite of concrete – abstract adjectives are like peace and honor – require interpretation;
exists in thought or as an idea...
3. Ambivalent – simultaneously contains contradictory feelings or attitudes toward an object, subject, person, or
action – contains uncertainty or fluctuation
4. Apathetic – having or showing little or no emotion/ not interested or concerned; indifferent or unresponsive
5. Ardent – enthusiastic, passionate
6. Audacious – Bold, adventurous, fearless
7. Austere – severe, stern, strict, or harsh
8. Authoritative - having an air of authority; accustomed to exercising authority; positive; used to influence or gain
power
9. Bemused - bewildered or confused/ lost in thought; preoccupied
10. Benevolent - characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings; sympathetic; tolerant; caring
11. Bookish – academic and scholarly
12. Callous – cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless
13. Caustic – making biting, corrosive comments; critical
14. Celebratory – praising; pay tribute to; glorify; honor
15. Compassionate – sympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kind
16. Conciliatory – intended to placate or pacify; appeasing
17. Condescending – stooping to the level of one’s inferiors; patronizing
18. Contemptuous – showing contempt; scornful; insolent; mocking
19. Cynical – scornful of motives or virtues; mocking; sneering
20. Detached – aloof; objective; unfeeling; distant
21. Dignified – serious; respectful; formal; proper
22. Disparaging or Disdainful – Showing contempt or lack of respect; critical; scornful
23. Effusive – expressing feelings of gratitude or pleasure
24. Empathetic – understanding; kind; sensitive
25. Encouraging – Optimistic; supportive
26. Enthusiastic – excited; energetic
27. Erudite – scholarly, educated, intellectual cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless
13. Caustic – making biting, corrosive comments; critical
14. Celebratory – praising; pay tribute to; glorify; honor
15. Compassionate – sympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kind
16. Conciliatory – intended to placate or pacify; appeasing
17. Condescending – stooping to the level of one’s inferiors; patronizing
18. Contemptuous – showing contempt; scornful; insolent; mocking
19. Cynical – scornful of motives or virtues; mocking; sneering
20. Detached – aloof; objective; unfeeling; distant
21. Dignified – serious; respectful; formal; proper
22. Disparaging or Disdainful – Showing contempt or lack of respect; critical; scornful
23. Effusive – expressing feelings of gratitude or pleasure
24. Empathetic – understanding; kind; sensitive
25. Encouraging – Optimistic; supportive
26. Enthusiastic – excited; energetic
27. Erudite – scholarly, educated, intellectual(tone) – sharply disagreeable or harsh
2. Abstract – the opposite of concrete – abstract adjectives are like peace and honor – require interpretation;
exists in thought or as an idea...
3. Ambivalent – simultaneously contains contradictory feelings or attitudes toward an object, subject, person, or
action – contains uncertainty or fluctuation
4. Apathetic – having or showing little or no emotion/ not interested or concerned; indifferent or unresponsive
5. Ardent – enthusiastic, passionate
6. Audacious – Bold, adventurous, fearless
7. Austere – severe, stern, strict, or harsh
8. Authoritative - having an air of authority; accustomed to exercising authority; positive; used to influence or gain
power
9. Bemused - bewildered or confused/ lost in thought; preoccupied
10. Benevolent - characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings; sympathetic; tolerant; caring
11. Bookish – academic and scholarly
12. Callous – cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless
13. Caustic – making biting, corrosive comments; critical
14. Celebratory – praising; pay tribute to; glorify; honor
15. Compassionate – sympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kind
16. Conciliatory – intended to placate or pacify; appeasing
17. Condescending – stooping to the level of one’s inferiors; patronizing
18. Contemptuous – showing contempt; scornful; insolent; mocking
19. Cynical – scornful of motives or virtues; mocking; sneering
20. Detached – aloof; objective; unfeeling; distant
21. Dignified – serious; respectful; formal; proper
22. Disparaging or Disdainful – Showing contempt or lack of respect; critical; scornful
23. Effusive – expressing feelings of gratitude or pleasure
24. Empathetic – understanding; kind; sensitive
25. Encouraging – Optimistic; supportive
26. Enthusiastic – excited; energetic
27. Erudite – scholarly, educated, intellectual