tone words Flashcards
Absurd
illogical; ridiculous; silly; implausible; foolish
Accusatory
suggesting someone has done something wrong, complaining
Acerbic
sharp; forthright; biting; hurtful; abrasive; severe
Admiring
approving; think highly of; respectful; praising
Aggressive
hostile; determined; forceful; argumentative
Aggrieved
indignant; annoyed; offended; disgruntled
Ambivalent
having mixed feelings; uncertain; in a dilemma; undecided
Amused
entertained; diverted; pleased
Angry
incensed or enraged; threatening or menacing
Animated
full of life or excitement; lively; spirited; impassioned; vibrant
Apathetic
showing little interest; lacking concern; indifferent; unemotional
Apologetic
full of regret; repentant; remorseful; acknowledging failure
Appreciative
grateful; thankful; showing pleasure; enthusiastic
Ardent
enthusiastic; passionate
Arrogant
pompous; disdainful; overbearing; condescending; vain; scoffing
Assertive
self-confident; strong-willed; authoritative; insistent
Awestruck
amazed, filled with wonder/awe; reverential
Belligerent
hostile; aggressive; combatant
Benevolent
sympathetic; tolerant; generous; caring; well meaning
Bitter
angry; acrimonious; antagonistic; spiteful; nasty
Callous
cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless
Candid
truthful, straightforward; honest; unreserved
Caustic
making biting, corrosive comments; critical
Cautionary
gives warning; raises awareness; reminding
Celebratory
praising; pay tribute to; glorify; honour
Chatty
informal; lively; conversational; familiar
Colloquial
familiar; everyday language; informal; colloquial; casual
Comic
humorous; witty; entertaining; diverting
Compassionate
sympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kind
Complex
having many varying characteristics; complicated
Compliant
agree or obey rules; acquiescent; flexible; submissive
Concerned
worried; anxious; apprehensive
Conciliatory
intended to placate or pacify; appeasing
Condescending
stooping to the level of one’s inferiors; patronising
Confused
unable to think clearly; bewildered; vague
Contemptuous
showing contempt; scornful; insolent; mocking
Critical
finding fault; disapproving; scathing; criticising
Cruel
causing pain and suffering; unkind; spiteful; severe
Curious
wanting to find out more; inquisitive; questioning
Cynical
scornful of motives/virtues of others; mocking; sneering
Defensive
defending a position; shielding; guarding; watchful
Defiant
obstinate; argumentative; defiant; contentious
Demeaning
disrespectful; undignified
Depressing
sad, melancholic; discouraging; pessimistic
Derisive
snide; sarcastic; mocking; dismissive; scornful
Detached
aloof; objective; unfeeling; distant
Dignified
serious; respectful; formal; proper
Diplomatic
tactful; subtle; sensitive; thoughtful
Disapproving
displeased; critical; condemnatory
Disheartening
discouraging; demoralising; undermining; depressing
Disparaging
dismissive; critical; scornful
Direct
straightforward; honest
Disappointed
discouraged; unhappy because something has gone wrong
Dispassionate
impartial; indifferent; unsentimental; cold; unsympathetic
Distressing
heart-breaking; sad; troubling
Docile
compliant; submissive; deferential; accommodating