155 Words to Describe Author's Tone

Loving

affectionate; showing intense, deep concern

Compliant

agree or obey rules; acquiescent; flexible; submissive

Detached

aloof; objective; unfeeling; distant

Awestruck

amazed, filled with wonder/awe; reverential

Evasive

ambiguous; cryptic; unclear

Humorous

amusing; entertaining; playful

Bitter

angry; acrimonious; antagonistic; spiteful; nasty

Indignant

annoyed; angry; dissatisfied

Frustrated

annoyed; discouraged

Admiring

approving; think highly of; respectful; praising

Jaded

bored; having had too much of the same thing; lack enthusiasm

Light-Hearted

carefree; relaxed; chatty; humorous

Cruel

causing pain and suffering; unkind; spiteful; severe

Judgmental

critical; finding fault; disparaging

Callous

cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless

Defensive

defending a position; shielding; guarding; watchful

Humble

deferential; modest

Ghoulish

delighting in the revolting or the loathsome

Malicious

desiring to harm others or to see others suffer; ill-willed; spiteful

Incredulous

disbelieving; unconvinced; questioning; suspicious

Disappointed

discouraged; unhappy because something has gone wrong

Disheartening

discouraging; demoralising; undermining; depressing

Disparaging

dismissive; critical; scornful

Disapproving

displeased; critical; condemnatory

Demeaning

disrespectful; undignified

Intense

earnest; passionate; concentrated; deeply felt

Excited

emotionally aroused; stirred

Inspirational

encouraging; reassuring

Incensed

enraged

Amused

entertained; diverted; pleased

Ardent

enthusiastic; passionate

Enthusiastic

excited; energetic

Colloquial

familiar; everyday language; informal; colloquial; casual

Intimate

familiar; informal; confidential; confessional

Impassioned

filled with emotion; ardent

Critical

finding fault; disapproving; scathing; criticizing

Animated

full of life or excitement; lively; spirited; impassioned; vibrant

Apologetic

full of regret; repentant; remorseful; acknowledging failure

Cautionary

gives warning; raises awareness; reminding

Appreciative

grateful; thankful; showing pleasure; enthusiastic

Macabre

gruesome; horrifying; frightening

Complex

having many varying characteristics; complicated

Ambivalent

having mixed feelings; uncertain; in a dilemma; undecided

Distressing

heart-breaking; sad; troubling

Frank

honest; direct; plain; matter-of-fact

Belligerent

hostile; aggressive; combatant

Aggressive

hostile; determined; forceful; argumentative

Comic

humorous; witty; entertaining; diverting

Absurd

illogical; ridiculous; silly; implausible; foolish

Dispassionate

impartial; indifferent; unsentimental; cold; unsympathetic

Facetious

inappropriate; flippant

Angry

incensed or enraged; threatening or menacing

Aggrieved

indignant; annoyed; offended; disgruntled

Chatty

informal; lively; conversational; familiar

Informative

instructive; factual; educational

Conciliatory

intended to placate or pacify; appeasing

Gentle

kind; considerate; mild; soft

Irreverent

lacking respect for things that are generally taken seriously

Farcical

ludicrous; absurd; mocking; humorous and highly improbable

Caustic

making biting, corrosive comments; critical

Gullible

naïve; innocent; ignorant

Defiant

obstinate; argumentative; defiant; contentious

Docile

ompliant; submissive; deferential; accommodating

Encouraging

optimistic; supportive

Imploring

pleading; begging

Arrogant

pompous; disdainful; overbearing; condescending; vain; scoffing

Joyful

positive; optimistic; cheerful; elated

Forceful

powerful; energetic; confident; assertive

Celebratory

praising; pay tribute to; glorify; honour

Laudatory

praising; recommending

Formal

respectful; stilted; factual; following accepted styles/rules

Depressing

sad, melancholic; discouraging; pessimistic

Cynical

scornful of motives/virtues of others; mocking; sneering

Egotistical

self-absorbed; selfish; conceited; boastful

Assertive

self-confident; strong-willed; authoritative; insistent

Grim

serious; gloomy; depressing; lacking humour;macabre

Dignified

serious; respectful; formal; proper

Acerbic

sharp; forthright; biting; hurtful; abrasive; severe

Contemptuous

showing contempt; scornful; insolent; mocking

Earnest

showing deep sincerity or feeling; serious

Apathetic

showing little interest; lacking concern; indifferent; unemotional

Inane

silly; foolish; stupid; nonsensical

Derisive

snide; sarcastic; mocking; dismissive; scornful

Condescending

stooping to the level of one's inferiors; patronising

Direct

straightforward; honest

Accusatory

suggesting someone has done something wrong, complaining

Flippant

superficial; glib; shallow; thoughtless; frivolous

Compassionate

sympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kind

Benevolent

sympathetic; tolerant; generous; caring; well meaning

Diplomatic

tactful; subtle; sensitive; thoughtful

Ironic

the opposite of what is meant

Impressionable

trusting; child-like

Candid

truthful, straightforward; honest; unreserved

Confused

unable to think clearly; bewildered; vague

Impartial

unbiased; neutral; objective

Empathetic

understanding; kind; sensitive

Hard

unfeeling; hard-hearted; unyielding

Hypercritical

unreasonably critical; hair splitting; nitpicking

Curious

wanting to find out more; inquisitive; questioning

Concerned

worried; anxious; apprehensive