AP Language Tone Words 2022-23

Optimistic

1. euphoric: intensely excited; extremely happy

2. exuberant: energetic and excited

3. laudatory: expressing great praise for

4. placid: calm and peaceful

5. quixotic: exceedingly idealistic; foolishly impractical

6. saccharine: overly sweet; sappy

7. whimsical: playfully amusing; childlike

8. zealous: showing enthusiasm/passion for a cause

Angry

1. acrimonious: angry and bitter

2. antithetical: directly opposed or contrasted

3. apoplectic: overcome with intense anger

4. caustic: severely critical

5. indignant: being angry because of an injustice

6. petulant: easily irritated or annoyed

7. rancorous: bitter or resentful; cranky

8. vexed: perplexed, frustrated, or very worried

Thoughtful

1. amenable: open and responsive to suggestion

2. evocative: bringing strong imagery, memories, and feelings to mind

3. grave: serious or solemn

4. nostalgic: a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time

5. pithy: short but clever or meaningful; aphoristic

6. pragmatic: dealing with things practically rather than theoretically

7. resolute: determined or unwavering

8. reverent: showing deep respect

Ironic

1. facetious: playfully sarcastic in a humorous way

2. flippant: uncaring about serious matters; disrespectful

3. patronizing: condescending; conveying a feeling of superiority

4. pretentious: attempting to impress by conveying greater importance, talent, culture, etc. than is actually possessed

5. sardonic: sarcastic; cynical

6. snide: unkind or insulting in an indirect way

7. sycophantic: sucking up an absurd amount to gain an advantage

8. wry: satiric; mocking

Academic

1. cogent: convincing; reasonable

2. didactic: instructional; often seen as preachy

3. erudite: having or showing scholarly knowledge or learning

4. impartial: unbiased; fair and just

5. meticulous: showing immense attention to detail

6. partisan: prejudiced in favor of a particular cause

7. pedantic: concerned with superfluous details

8. subtle: delicately complex and understated

Critical

1. acerbic: sharp and forthright

2. admonitory: serving to warn or reprimand

3. callous: showing no sympathy for others

4. cynical: distrustful of human sincerity or integrity

5. derisive: expressing contempt or ridicule

6. iconoclastic: attacking traditional or popular ideas

7. sanctimonious: holier-than-thou attitude

8. self-deprecating: excessively modest; critical of oneself (usually humorously)

Erratic

1. ambivalent: having mixed feelings about something

2. arbitrary: based on random choice or personal whim

3. elusive: difficult to achieve or analyze

4. frivolous: characterized by a lack of seriousness

5. incredulous: skeptical; unbelieving

6. tentative: uncertain and hesitant

7. tenuous: shaky or weak (reasoning)

8. trite: cliche; worn out; overused

Outliers

1. bombastic: inflated; high-sounding but with little meaning

2. candid: open and honest; straightforward

3. colloquial: informal; conversational; familiar

4. conciliatory: intended to pacify or appease

5. diffident: timid; reserved

6. haughty: arrogantly proud

7. insipid: lacking vigor or substance; flat

8. poignant: evoking sadness and regret; tragic