155 Words To Describe An Author's Tone (2024)

Tone

Meaning

Absurdillogical; ridiculous; silly; implausible; foolishAccusatorysuggesting someone has done something wrong, complainingAcerbicsharp; forthright; biting; hurtful; abrasive;severeAdmiringapproving; think highly of; respectful;praisingAggressivehostile; determined; forceful; argumentativeAggrievedindignant; annoyed; offended; disgruntledAmbivalenthaving mixed feelings; uncertain; in a dilemma;undecidedAmusedentertained; diverted; pleasedAngryincensed or enraged; threatening or menacingAnimatedfull of life or excitement; lively; spirited; impassioned; vibrantApatheticshowing little interest; lacking concern; indifferent; unemotionalApologeticfull of regret; repentant; remorseful;acknowledging failureAppreciativegrateful; thankful; showing pleasure;enthusiasticArdententhusiastic; passionateArrogantpompous; disdainful; overbearing;condescending; vain; scoffingAssertiveself-confident; strong-willed; authoritative;insistentAwestruckamazed, filled with wonder/awe; reverentialBelligerenthostile; aggressive; combatantBenevolentsympathetic; tolerant; generous; caring; well meaningBitterangry; acrimonious; antagonistic; spiteful;nastyCallouscruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring;indifferent; ruthlessCandidtruthful, straightforward; honest; unreservedCausticmaking biting, corrosive comments; criticalCautionarygives warning; raises awareness; remindingCelebratorypraising; pay tribute to; glorify; honourChattyinformal; lively; conversational; familiarColloquialfamiliar; everyday language; informal;colloquial; casualComichumorous; witty; entertaining; divertingCompassionatesympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kindComplexhaving many varying characteristics;complicatedCompliantagree or obey rules; acquiescent; flexible;submissiveConcernedworried; anxious; apprehensiveConciliatoryintended to placate or pacify; appeasingCondescendingstooping to the level of one’s inferiors;patronisingConfusedunable to think clearly; bewildered; vagueContemptuousshowing contempt; scornful; insolent; mockingCriticalfinding fault; disapproving; scathing;criticisingCruelcausing pain and suffering; unkind; spiteful;severeCuriouswanting to find out more; inquisitive; questioningCynicalscornful of motives/virtues of others; mocking;sneeringDefensivedefending a position; shielding; guarding;watchfulDefiantobstinate; argumentative; defiant; contentiousDemeaningdisrespectful; undignifiedDepressingsad, melancholic; discouraging; pessimisticDerisivesnide; sarcastic; mocking; dismissive; scornfulDetachedaloof; objective; unfeeling; distantDignifiedserious; respectful; formal; properDiplomatictactful; subtle; sensitive; thoughtfulDisapprovingdispleased; critical; condemnatoryDishearteningdiscouraging; demoralising; undermining; depressingDisparagingdismissive; critical; scornfulDirectstraightforward; honestDisappointeddiscouraged; unhappy because something has gonewrongDispassionateimpartial; indifferent; unsentimental; cold;unsympatheticDistressingheart-breaking; sad; troublingDocilecompliant; submissive; deferential;accommodatingEarnestshowing deep sincerity or feeling; seriousEgotisticalself-absorbed; selfish; conceited; boastfulEmpatheticunderstanding; kind; sensitiveEncouragingoptimistic; supportiveEnthusiasticexcited; energeticEvasiveambiguous; cryptic; unclearExcitedemotionally aroused; stirredFacetiousinappropriate; flippantFarcicalludicrous; absurd; mocking; humorous and highly improbableFlippantsuperficial; glib; shallow; thoughtless; frivolousForcefulpowerful; energetic; confident; assertiveFormalrespectful; stilted; factual; followingaccepted styles/rulesFrankhonest; direct; plain; matter-of-factFrustratedannoyed; discouragedGentlekind; considerate; mild; softGhoulishdelighting in the revolting or the loathsomeGrimserious; gloomy; depressing; lacking humour;macabreGulliblenaïve; innocent; ignorantHardunfeeling; hard-hearted; unyieldingHumbledeferential; modestHumorousamusing; entertaining; playfulHypercriticalunreasonably critical; hair splitting;nitpickingImpartialunbiased; neutral; objectiveImpassionedfilled with emotion; ardentImploringpleading; beggingImpressionabletrusting; child-likeInanesilly; foolish; stupid; nonsensicalIncensedenragedIncredulousdisbelieving; unconvinced; questioning; suspiciousIndignantannoyed; angry; dissatisfiedInformativeinstructive; factual; educationalInspirationalencouraging; reassuringIntenseearnest; passionate; concentrated; deeply feltIntimatefamiliar; informal; confidential; confessionalIronicthe opposite of what is meantIrreverentlacking respect for things that are generallytaken seriouslyJadedbored; having had too much of the same thing;lack enthusiasmJoyfulpositive; optimistic; cheerful; elatedJudgmentalcritical; finding fault; disparagingLaudatorypraising; recommendingLight-Heartedcarefree; relaxed; chatty; humorousLovingaffectionate; showing intense, deep concernMacabregruesome; horrifying; frighteningMaliciousdesiring to harm others or to see others suffer; ill-willed; spitefulMean-Spiritedinconsiderate; unsympatheticMockingscornful; ridiculing; making fun of someoneMourninggrieving; lamenting; woefulNaïveinnocent; unsophisticated; immatureNarcissisticself-admiring;selfish; boastful; self-pityingNastyunpleasant; unkind; disagreeable; abusiveNegativeunhappy, pessimisticNostalgicthinking about the past; wishing for something from the pastObjectivewithout prejudice; without discrimination;fair; based on factObsequiousoverly obedient and/or submissive; fawning; grovellingOptimistichopeful; cheerfulOutragedangered and resentful; furious; extremelyangeredOutspokenfrank; candid; spoken without reservePatheticexpressing pity, sympathy, tendernessPatronisingcondescending; scornful; pompousPensivereflective; introspective; philosophical; contemplativePersuasiveconvincing; eloquent; influential; plausiblePessimisticseeing the negative side of thingsPhilosophicaltheoretical; analytical; rational; logicalPlayfulfull of fun and good spirits; humorous; jestingPragmaticrealistic; sensiblePretentiousaffected; artificial; grandiose; rhetorical; flashyRegretfulapologetic; remorsefulResentfulaggrieved; offended; displeased; bitterResignedaccepting; unhappyRestrainedcontrolled; quiet; unemotionalReverentshowing deep respect and esteemRighteousmorally right and just; guiltless; pious; god-fearingSatiricalmaking fun to show a weakness; ridiculing; derisiveSarcasticscornful; mocking; ridiculingScathingcritical; stinging; unsparing; harshScornfulexpressing contempt or derision; scathing; dismissiveSensationalisticprovocative; inaccurate; distastefulSentimentalthinking about feelings, especially when remembering the pastSincerehonest; truthful; earnestScepticaldisbelieving; unconvinced; doubtingSolemnnot funny; in earnest; seriousSubjectiveprejudiced; biasedSubmissivecompliant; passive; accommodating; obedientSulkingbad-tempered; grumpy; resentful; sullenSympatheticcompassionate; understanding of how someone feelsThoughtfulreflective; serious; absorbedTolerantopen-minded; charitable; patient; sympathetic; lenientTragicdisastrous; calamitousUnassumingmodest; self-effacing; restrainedUneasyworried; uncomfortable; edgy; nervousUrgentinsistent; saying something must be done soonVindictivevengeful; spiteful; bitter; unforgivingVirtuouslawful; righteous; moral; upstandingWhimsicalquaint; playful; mischievous; offbeatWittyclever; quick-witted; entertainingWonderawe-struck; admiring; fascinatingWorld-Wearybored; cynical; tiredWorriedanxious; stressed; fearfulWretchedmiserable; despairing; sorrowful; distressed