Tone vocab

inclined to find fault or judge with severity

feeling or showing anger and strong resentment

displaying anger in a passionate way

displaying anger in a dispassionate way

to be or become irritated or inflamed

feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something

considered unjust, offensive, or base

strongly offended, insulted, or affronted

resentful or cynical

open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations

mystified

bewildered; puzzled

severely critical or sarcastic

capable of gripping and affecting or wounding

showing a lack of respect for things or people that should be taken seriously

teasing or laughing at in a scornful way

showing contempt or a lack of respect

scornful, showing contempt

grimly mocking or cynical

marked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt

• used to refer to humor in which a statement, or an entire fictional work, is
• not meant to be taken seriously, but its sarcasm is subtle

• happening in the opposite way to what is expected, and typically causing wry
• amusement because of this

• believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human
• sincerity or integrity

not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations

using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor

having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance and abilities

• attempting to impress by affecting greater important, talent, culture, etc.,
• than is actually possessed

• to talk to someone in a haughty way, as though it is below one’s dignity or
• level of importance

• to treat someone with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of
• superiority

commanding and self-confident

causing light-hearted laughter and amusement

an exchange of light, playful, teasing remarks; good-natured raillery

• weak-minded or lacking good sense; stupid or foolish. Also, absurd, irrational,
• ridiculous.

imitating or burlesquing that which is heroic, as in manner, character, or

action

glad; delighted

pleasurably entertained, occupied, or diverted

subject to or in a state of ecstacy; rapturous

very happy; proud; jubilant

lacking reserve; overflowing

satisfied with what one is or has

depressed or discouraged by the failure of one’s hopes or expectations

affected by unhappiness or grief

expressing sorrow or lamentation

disposed to or affected with melancholy; gloomy

sad; lower in spirits; dejected; dispirited

feeling or expressing sorrow or grief; sorrowful; sad

keenly distressing to the feelings

gloomy, depressing, or dismal

without hope and encouragement

playfully quaint and fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way

overimaginative and unrealistic

having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing

not showing a serious or respectful attitude

• characterized by or showing feelings of longing for people, places, and things
• in the past

• dealing with feeling of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia in an
• exaggerated or self-indulgent way

relating to or characterized by deep thought; thoughtful

feeling or showing sorrow for what has been lost or done wrong

feeling deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed

regretfully acknowledging or excusing an offense or failure

provocative; intriguing

causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial

causing wonder or astonishment

extremely startling, distressing, or offensive

tending to excite anger, disorder, or tumult

having the power to cause unpleasant surprise

highly effective; striking

capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling

• having no direct involvement or interest and not favoring one person or side
• over another

based on facts rather than thoughts and opinions

practical and unemotional

consisting of the truth or including only things that are actual

not attached to something and unaffected by emotional involvement

unbiased by personal interest or advantage; not influenced by selfish motives

tired and impatient

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned

uncomplicated and easy to do or understand

truthful and straightforward; frank

• of or like a person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules
• or displaying academic learning

having much knowledge; erudite

concerned with academic learning and research

intended for instruction; inclined to teach and lecture others too much;

teaching or intending to teach a moral lesson

characterized by or displaying a concern with morality

• imparting inspiration (stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of
• feeling or activity

full of, characterized by, or showing politeness or deference

feeling or showing deep and solemn respect

being thankful or grateful for something

feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy

feeling or showing concern for others

to be engaged or excited about something

eager to know and learn something

needing attention very soon, especially before anything else, because important

needing or deserving your complete attention

suggesting that something unpleasant is likely to happen

feeling worried about something you are going to do

a feeling that something very bad is likely to happen soon

expressing a threat of something unpleasant and violent