tone words Flashcards
acerbic
biting, sharp
amiable
friendly
apathetic
not caring; without interest
audacious
bold, daring
belligerent
hostile and aggressive, desiring to fight
benevolent
well-meaning, kindly
bombastic
high-sounding, pompous language
caustic
sarcastic in a bitter way; burning
choleric
bad tempered, irritable
complacent
satisfied
conciliatory
attempting to reconcile or make-up
condescending
patronizingly, speaking down to
cynical
denying the sincerity of people’s motives or actions; thinking the worst will happen
didactic
intended for instruction
droll
amusing in a curious or unusual way
facetious
joking at an inappropriate time; insincere
fervent
with deep sincerity or emotion
histrionic
theatrical, overly emotional
incredulous
disbelieving
insolent
rude, lack of respect
laudatory
praising
obsequious
suck-up
ominous
foreboding, giving the impression that something bad is about to happen
opprobrious
shaming, abusive
poignant
bittersweet
prosaic
commonplace, dull
pedantic
overly focused on minor details or rules, often in a nitpicky way
pretentious
attempting to impress by assuming characteristics of greater importance
pompous
irritatingly grand or self-important
restrained
holding back emotion
sardonic
humor or remarks that are scornful or mocking
saccharine
too sweet, artificially so
snooty
showing disapproval or contempt; superior
staid
unadventurous, respectable, old-fashioned
surly
bad tempered; unfriendly
sophomoric
opinionated; immature
vitriolic
sharp or bitter speech
