Degrees of Tone
Confident
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Satisfied: content
Sure: free from doubt
Positive: admitting of no question
Convinced: to have the truth proven to
Unafraid: not frightened
Sanguine: cheerfully optimistic
Confident: having strong belief or full assurance
Courageous: brave
Fearless; without fear
Intrepid: resolutely fearless
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The lazy grade was satisfied with most of the garbage that was passed by his face.
The jury was convinced of the defendant’s wrong doings and quickly proclaimed him guilty.
It is important to be a confident test taker so as to not second guess your answers and change
ones that are correct.
The intrepid adventure decided to climb the tallest mountains on every continent.
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insolent: boldly rude or disrespectful; insulting; overbearing and impudent
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Sassy - impertinent; saucy; boldly smart
Disrespectful - characterized by, having, or showing disrespect; lacking courtesy or esteem
Rude - discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way
Impudent -marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others; shamelessly brazen
or immodest
Arrogant - making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming;
insolently proud
Insulting - giving or causing insult; characterized by affronting rudeness, insolence, etc.
Offensive - causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying
Brazen - shameless or impudent; bold; especially harsh sounding
Overbearing - domineering; dictatorial; haughtily or rudely arrogant; of overwhelming or critical
importance
Abusive - using, containing, or characterized by harshly or coarsely insulting language; treating
badly or injuriously
Disrespectful: The class was very disrespectful to the substitute since their teacher was not there.
Impudent: The student was kept late for his impudent behavior toward the teacher during class.
Insulting: Insulting other people will not help you make friends very easily.
Brazen: The robbery was brazen and fast, as it was carried out in broad daylight.
irreverent - lacking proper respect or seriousness; showing disrespect
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Facetious - not meant to be taken seriously or literally
Mocking - to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision
Rash – careless and impulsive; acting too hastily without due consideration
Flippant - frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity
Rude - discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way
Impious - not pious: lacking in reverence or proper respect (as for God or one's parents)
Insolent - boldly rude or disrespectful; insulting; overbearing and impudent
Profane - immoral, crude, disrespectful of religion
Sacrilege - a technical and not necessarily intrinsically outrageous violation of something sacred
Blasphemous - impious utterance or action concerning God or sacred things; irreverent behavior
toward anything held sacred, priceless, etc.
Rash: The rash decisions you make now may become something you regret many years from now.
Flippant: Her flippant attitude during class resulted in a bad grade at the end of the semester.
Profane: The school did not tolerate the use of profane language.
Insolent: He was extremely insolent to the police officers, forcing the officers to become even more
strict.
Contemptuous
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Disapproving: negatively judging something based on personal standards
Disrespectful: a lack of respect
Patronizing: treating somebody as if he or she is less intelligent or knowledgeable than yourself
Audacious: bold, daring, or fearless, especially in challenging assumptions or conventions
Condescending: behaving toward other people in a way that shows you consider yourself
socially or intellectually superior to them
Sneering: to feel or show scorn, contempt, or hostility, either in speech or facial expression
Disdainful: having extreme contempt or disgust for something or somebody
Scornful: feeling or expressing great contempt for somebody or something
Derisive: showing contempt or ridicule
Sardonic: disdainfully or cynically mocking
Unimpressed, the teacher took the student’s late paper with a disapproving expression.
Watching the boisterous, coarse banter taking place around the dining table, the etiquetteconscious host regarded her guests with a condescending gaze.
Because he failed to do his part of the lab report before class, he hurriedly attempted to finish
the graphs after the lecture began and was met with a scornful rebuke from his teacher.
Her classmates’ derisive laughter rang down the hallways when they saw that she had dressed
up as Princess Leia for homecoming spirit week the Monday before it was scheduled.
Congenial
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Pleasant: pleasing , agreeable, or enjoyable; giving pleasure
Friendly: Of, relating to, or befitting a friend: friendly advice
Hospitable: receiving or treating guests or strangers warmly and generously
Sociable: friendly or agreeable in company; companionable
Good-natured: Having an easygoing, cheerful disposition
Agreeable: pleasing to the mind or senses especially as according well with one's tastes or needs
Genial: warmly and pleasantly cheerful; cordial
Amiable: Having or showing pleasant, good-natured personal qualities; affable
Affable: being pleasant and at ease in talking to others
Gregarious: marked by or indicating a liking for companionship : sociable
He was very hospitable during the annual Christmas part, even as the night went on and entertaining
guests became tiresome.
It was easy for friends to converse with her, as she was very agreeable regardless of the topic discussed.
Amiable people have a leg up in the business world; clients gravitate towards those who are genuine
and personable.
Re-nominating the gregarious man as their candidate was a no-brainer, as his personality made voters
feel like he was their “swell” next-door neighbor.
Frank:
1. Apparent
 Clearly visible or understood; obvious
2. Obvious
 Easily perceived or understood; clear, self-evident, or apparent
3. Candid
 Truthful and straightforward; frank.
4. Straight-forward
 Uncomplicated and easy to do or understand
5. Direct
 Going straight to the point; frank
6. Blunt
 Uncompromisingly forthright
7. Outspoken
 Frank in stating one's opinions, esp. if they are critical or controversial
8. Brazen
 Bold and without shame
Sentences:
 His yawn and bored gestures made his reluctance to be helping out really apparent.
 The little boy had trouble seeing the obvious differences between a cat and a dog.
 Sanji was offended by his friend's blunt remarks toward his not so tidy appearance.
 Her outspoken personality managed to get her many supporters, but it also managed to get
her many people against her.
Idealistic:
1. Impractical
 Not adapted for use or action; not sensible or realistic
2. Unrealistic
 Not realistic
3. Optimistic
 Hopeful and confident about the future
4. Dreaming
 Contemplate the possibility of doing something or that something might be the case
5. Lofty
 Proud, aloof, or self-important
6. Romantic
 Of, characterized by, or suggestive of an idealized view of reality
7. Grand
 Of a haughty or pretentious nature.
8. Utopian
 Modeled on or aiming for a state in which everything is perfect; idealistic
Sentences:
 His wish to become better at chess than his older brother was impractical.
 She was optimistic that she would be the top of her class this year.
 Shane had the lofty goal of becoming the governor of his state.
 Jennifer dreamed of being the queen of a utopian world where everyone got along and was
no one was ever sad.
CLINICAL - analytical or cooly dispassionate in nature or disposition
Intensity
Synonyms
Definition
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disinterested
not having the mind or feelings engaged
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objective
relating to or existing as an object of
thought without consideration of
independent existence
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cold
marked by a lack of the warmth of normal
human emotion, friendliness, or
compassion; not moved to enthusiasm
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emotionless
showing, having, or expressing no
emotion; a desert of feeling
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detached
exhibiting an aloof objectivity usually free
from prejudice or self-interest
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standoffish
somewhat cold and reserved
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aloof
emotionally set apart and distanced
8
frosty (the snowman)
marked by coolness or extreme reserve in
manner
1. Peter frostily cast his gaze of scornful disdain elsewhere when the formerly banished fairy made
her presence known.
2. In the final moments of impending defeat, Hook's sword lunged at Peter, the former's heart cold
and unfeeling.
3. Upon the return of the children, Mr. Darling's formerly starched and detached persona gave
way to one of warm welcoming.
4. It was all Princess Tigerlily could do to remain silent and objective under the incriminating gaze
of the vengeful Captain Hook.
COMPASSIONATE - having or showing sympathy
Intensity
Synonyms
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solicitous
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sympathetic
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philanthropic
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benignant
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altruistic
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benevolent
affable
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tenderhearted
Definition
manifesting or expressing consideration
given to, marked by, or arising from
sympathy, compassion, and sensitivity to
others' emotions
predisposed to goodwill to fellow
members of the human race
favorable, beneficial; showing kindness
and gentleness
characterized by an unselfish regard for or
devotion to the welfare of others
marked by or disposed to doing good
being pleasant and at ease in interacting
with others
easily moved to love, pity, or sorrow
1. With embittered anguish did the tenderhearted Peter mourn the loss of his beloved fairy.
2. As altruistic as a boy may be who is never obliged to grow up did Peter lead the children past
the second star to the right and straight on 'til morning.
3. His innately solicitous nature obliged Peter to teach the floundering children the trick of flight.
4. Wendy acted sympathetically toward the plight of the Lost Boys, instinctively assuming the
role of mother.
Reflective - concerned with meditation or deliberation; contemplative
1. Thoughtful – occupied with thought
2. Pondering – carefully weighing in the mind
3. Speculative – characterized by the consideration of some subject; contemplation
4. Contemplative – characterized by deep consideration
5. Cogitating – thinking deeply about
6. Ruminative – to muse or ponder
7. Pensive – dreamily or wistfully thoughtful
8. Nostalgic – sentimental reflection on the past
9. Meditative – fully engaged in thought or contemplation
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Susan was thoughtful after she was unsure why she missed a difficult question on the
algebra quiz.
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Upon seeing a dog with 2 heads run past, Doug was pondering the science of biology.
Steve felt a wave of nostalgia as he drove past the playground that he spent many
enjoyable afternoons during his childhood.
Focusing all of his attention, the monk was able to harness the power of the world as
he on the summit of the mountain meditatively.
Didactic- intended to teach or inform, often moral lessons
ARRANGE IN ORDER THEN WRITE 4 SENTANCES
Educational- tending to instruct or inform
Academic – theoretical or hypothetical; not practical, realistic, or directly useful
Instructive- conveying information or knowledge
Donnish- resembling or characteristic of a university don; bookish
Edifying- to improve morality, intellect, etc, especially by instruction
Exhortative- strongly advising
Enlightening- to give intellectual light to, to instruct, impart knowledge to
Preachy- tediously didactic
Pedantic- over concerned with minute details or formalisms, especially in teaching
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They had an academic discussion about the ideas presented in the classroom.
The lecture about philosophy was quite educational.
The conclusions drawn from the experiment were very enlightening.
The professor was very pedantic, focusing more on the small details, rather than the big idea in
their paper.
Authoritative:
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Trustworthy- Deserving of trust and confidence
Authentic- not false or copied; genuine, real
Legitimate- in accordance with established rules, principles, or standards
Accurate- free from error or defect
Sound- competent, sensible, and valid; free from defect
Supported- to serve as a foundation for
Verified- confirmed as to accuracy or truth by acceptable evidence, action, etc.
Validated- to give official sanction, confirmation, or approval to
Definitive- most reliable and complete (as of a text)
Righteous- characterized by an uprightness or morality
1) She felt as though her research was verified by the new archeological discovery in China, but her
boss was worried that it was undermining their former discoveries.
2) Because she believed that the Lord was righteous, Linda trusted the Bible.
3) The new preacher’s doctrine was sound, but his style of preaching was not as agreeable to Bob
as their old preacher.
4) While some of her sources for her report on Napoleon were somewhat unreliable, she knew this
book was trustworthy, as it was the definitive books available on the subject.
Sardonic
Similar Words: derisive, sarcastic, mordant, contemptuous, scornful, acerbic, irascible, bitter
1. –sarcastic: characterized by sarcasm (=harsh or bitter derision)
2. –bitter: characterized by intense antagonism or hostility
3. –acerbic: harsh or severe, as of temper or expression
4. –scornful: full of scorn (=open or unqualified contempt; disdain)
5. –derisive: characterized by or expressing derision (=ridicule; mockery)
6. –contemptuous: showing or expressing contempt (=disdain; scorn)
7. –irascible: characterized or produced by anger
8. –mordant: sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; biting
Sentences:
1. (Sarcastic-LV.1): When the teacher handed the paper back to him, he threw in a sarcastic
comment about the student’s writing to let him know that he should revise it.
2. (Acerbic-LV.3): I acerbically criticized his every movement to let him know that I was upset.
3. (Contemptuous-LV.6): He was convicted of all charges, and received harshly contemptuous looks
from everybody he passed on the way to his new cell.
4. (Mordant-LV.8): The people despised the corrupt tyrant, and mordantly exclaimed that he
should be thrown out of power.
Bitter-causing pain, characterized by intense antagonism or hostility
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Distasteful- unpleasant and offensive
Painful- causing pain
Mad- enraged
Distressing- great pain, anxiety, or sorrow
Ruthless- without pity or compassion
Cruel- knowingly causing pain
Scornful- contemptuous
Caustic- severely critical or sarcastic
1. Because Todd was still mad about having a cake thrown in his face, his conversations with
his friends were somewhat tense.
2. The violent weather caused a distressing tone within the room full of teenage drivers.
3. The judge’s ruthless commentary of her audition caused her to give up hope and forget
about her dreams.
4. No matter how hard he tried, he could not escape the caustic opinions of his family over his
choice of going to college out of state.
Controlled
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Composed- tranquil
Calm- free from excitement or passion
Cool- not excited, calm
Nonchalant-coolly indifferent, unexcited
Collected- having control
Restricted- confined, limited
Constrained- forced, compelled
1. Despite Melissa’s strong political views, she was very composed during the opposing parties’
speech.
2. After Jenny found out she received an ‘A’ on the Calculus test, she was calm for the rest of the
day.
3. Joe is very nonchalant; he is very easy to get along with.
4. While you could tell Mary was angry at John’s comments, she remained very collected; she did
not want to create a scene in the cafeteria.
Clever
1. Sharp - fine point (literal)
2. Witty - amusingly clever in perception and expression
3. Clever - mentally bright; having sharp or quick intelligence
4. Keen - having or showing great mental penetration or acumen
5. Canny - astute; shrewd; knowing; sagacious
6. Cunning - skill employed in a shrewd or sly manner, as in deceiving; craftiness; guile
7. Sly - stealthy, insidious, or secret
8. Conniving - to cooperate secretly; conspire
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The reporters were not prepared to respond to the witty remarks left by the president.
Gollum took Frodo’s ring slyly while he was fast asleep and unsuspecting.
After the robbery of the nuclear reactor had taken place, Batman and Robin could not locate
the canny Riddler’s escape route to the Legion of Doom.
The clever Troll set up a toll booth for his bridge so that the vulnerable passersby would have
to pay before they faced his tricky riddles.
Impartial: fair, unprejudiced
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Objective: fair, impartial
Neutral: impartial, noncommittal
Uncolored: impartial
Impersonal: cold, unfriendly
nondiscrimination: unfeeling, impartial
Unbiased: not prejudiced
7. disinterested: detached, uninvolved
8. dispassionate: unfeeling, impartial
9. Unbigoted: fair, unprejudiced
Sentences:
1. Emily is so impersonal; she never talks in class and sits alone at lunch.
2. The school brought in unbiased judges to review the Avon vs. Brownsburg football game so no
favoritism for either team.
3. Unfortunately there is always at least one disinterested student in every class.
4. Most people in modern society are unbigoted compared to people from generations past.
Derogatory
1. Offensive-upsetting, insulting, or irritating: causing anger, resentment, or moral
outrage
2. Insulting- causing offense by being rude or insensitive or by suggesting a low
opinion of somebody or something; offensive and hurtful
3. Critical- not approving; tending to find fault with somebody or something, or with
people and things in general
4. Disparaging- showing or expressing disapproval or contempt
5. Pejorative- expressing criticism or disapproval
6. Disdainful- showing acts of scorn
7. Degrading- to lower in grade, rank or status
Sentences
1. Bob does not have a great deal of friends because he is considered to be very
offensive to many people, always causing anger.
2. Even though the man apologized for his minor mistakes at work, his manager was
very critical and decided to fire him.
3. Tom is always disdainful around the elderly; he does not have an appreciation for
them and does not like to be in their presence.
4. The company was degrading their previous highly skilled and paid employees by
hiring un-trained and non-qualified workers who were just willing to accept the
minimum wage pay.
Cynical
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Skeptical-having doubt
Mocking- to challenge
Ironic-unexpected
Unbelieving-not accepting
Sarcastic-harsh or bitter derision
Suspicious-questionable
Pessimistic-the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable
outcomes, results, conditions, problems, etc.
h. Scorn-contemptuous
Mary assured me that she had been abducted by aliens, but I was unbelieving.
Lily claimed she had not kicked the puppy, but her mother was skeptical.
I kept giving the salesman sarcastic responses to his incredibly stupid questions.
He looked at the claim that pigs can really fly if you train them to with scorn
Impressionable:
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Sensitive – affected by external influences
Suggestible – easily influenced by suggestion
Receptive – inclined to receive suggestions
Responsive – responding readily or excessively to external appeals
Open – free to interpret and act on suggestions or external stimuli
Susceptible – capable of being affected emotionally
Vulnerable – open to moral attack, temptation, etc.
Being nocturnal for so long made the raccoons sensitive to the excessive daytime activity.
The newly diurnal raccoon colony nominated a leader that would be receptive to their needs.
They became less susceptible to sunburn as they grew accustomed to the rigors of daytime living.
Sunburn quickly claimed the lives of hundreds of vulnerable raccoons.
Ingenuous:
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Unreserved – not restricted
Sincere – free of deceit
Innocent – free from moral wrong
Naïve – having or shoeing a lack of experience
Straightforward - direct
Outspoken – free or unreserved in speech
Guileless – sincere and honest
Candid – free from reservation or disguise
9. Frank – direct and unreserved in speech
I unreservedly sang in front of the crowd.
The director was very straightforward in his criticism.
His disapproval, though unappreciated, was admirably guileless.
I took his frank advice to heart.