AP Language Tone Words 2022-23

AP Language Tone Words 2022-23

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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