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AP Literature & Composition Vocabulary: Tone Words Flashcards

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66523559191. Abhorrentcausing repugnance; detestable; loathsome. Utterly opposed, or contrary, or in conflict.0
66523585102. Acerbicharsh or severe, as of temper or expression: acerbic criticism.1
66523638343. Ambivalentuncertainty or fluctuation, esp. when caused by the inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things. the coexistence within an individual of positive and negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing him or her in opposite directions.2
66523702634. Anguishedshowing excruciating or acute distress, suffering, or pain: the anguish of grief. Torment. Torture.3
66523767395. Appalledto fill with consternation or dismay. struck with fear, dread, or consternation.4
66523839746. Apprehensive-uneasy or fearful about something that might happen. perceptive; discerning (usually followed by of5
66523961847. Ardenthaving, expressive of, or characterized by intense feeling; passionate; fervent: an ardent vow; ardent love. intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic; zealous: an ardent theatergoer. an ardent student of French history. vehement; fierce: They were frightened by his ardent, burning eyes6
66523995198. Austeresevere in manner or appearance; uncompromising; strict; forbidding: an austere teacher. rigorously self-disciplined and severely moral; ascetic; abstinent: the austere quality of life in the convent. grave; sober; solemn; serious: an austere manner. without excess, luxury, or ease; simple; limited; severe: an austere life. severely simple; without ornament: austere writing7
66524216769. Benevolentcharacterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings: a benevolent attitude; her benevolent smile. Desiring to help others; charitable: gifts from several generous alumni. Intended for benefits rather than profit: a charitable institution8
665242167710. Callousunfeeling, insensitive to others9
665242167811. Candidfrank; outspoken; open and sincere: a candid critic. Free from reservation, disguise, or subterfuge; candid: an honest opinion. Honest; impartial10
665242167912. Causticcapable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue. Severely critical or sarcastic: a caustic remark. Biting, mordant, bitter, scathing11
665242168013. Conciliatoryto overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease. To regain or try to restore (friendship or goodwill) by social behavior. To make or attempt to make compatible; reconcile12
665242168114. Contencious [kuh n-ten-shuh s]tending to argument or strife; quarrelsome: a contentious crew. Causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy: controversial issues13
665242168215. Cynical [sin-i-kuh l]like or characteristic of a cynic; distrusting or disparaging the motives of others; showing contempt for accepted standards of honesty or morality by one's actions, esp. by actions that exploit the scruples of others; bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic; sarcastic14
665242168316. Derisive (dĭ-rī'sĭv)contemptuous; mocking; jeering; expressing ridicule; causing or deserving scorn15
665242168417. Derogatory (dĭ-rŏg'ə-tôr'ē)tending to lessen the merit or reputation of a person or thing; disparaging; depreciatory: a derogatory remark; belittling, uncomplimentary, denigrating16
665242168518. Desolate (děs'ə-lĭt)barren or laid waste; devastated: a treeless, desolate landscape; deprived or destitute of inhabitants; deserted; uninhabited; solitary; lonely: an isolated place; having the feeling of being abandoned by friends or by hope; forlorn; dreary; dismal; gloomy17
665242168619. Despondent (dĭ-spŏn'dənt)feeling or showing profound hopelessness, dejection, discouragement, or gloom: despondent about failing health; disheartened, downhearted, melancholy, blue.18
665242168720. Diabolical (dī'ə-bŏl'ĭ-kəl)having the qualities of a devil; devilish; fiendish; outrageously wicked: a diabolic plot; Appropriate to a demon, especially in the degree of wickedness or cruelty.19
665242168821. Didactic (dī-dāk'tĭk)intended for instruction; instructive; inclined to teach or lecture others too much: a boring, didactic speaker. Teaching or intending to teach a moral lesson20
665242168922. Diffident (dĭf'ĭ-dənt)lacking confidence in one's ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy; restrained or reserved in manner, conduct; self-conscious, self-effacing, abashed, embarrassed, modest, unassuming, unconfident21
665242169023 Disdainful (dĭs-dān'fəl)contemptuous, haughty, scornful; expressing extreme contempt; having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy22
665242169124. Dismal (dĭz'məl)causing gloom or dejection; gloomy; dreary; cheerless; melancholy: gloomy weather; characterized by ineptness or lack of skill, competence, effectiveness, imagination, or interest; pitiful: Our team played a horrible game. Hopeless23
665242169225. Ebullient (ĭ-bŏŏl'yənt)overflowing with fervor, enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited: The award winner was in an ebullient mood at the dinner in her honor.24
665242169326. Elated (ĭ-lāt' ed)very happy or proud; jubilant; in high spirits: an elated winner of a contest; overjoyed, ecstatic25
665242169427. Euphoric (yōō-fôr'ik)a feeling of great happiness or well-being; a feeling of joy, confidence, or well-being sometimes26
665242169528. Exasperated (ĭg-zās'pə-rāt'ed)to irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely: He was exasperated by the senseless delays; To make very angry or impatient; annoy greatly27
665242169629. Fatalisticthe acceptance of all things and events as inevitable; submission to fate: Her fatalism helped her to face death with stoic calm; the doctrine that all events are subject to fate or inevitable predetermination28
665242169730. Fervent (fûr'vənt)having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.; ardent: a fervent admirer; a fervent plea; hot; burning; glowing; impassioned, passionate29
665242169831. Flippant (flĭp'ənt)frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity: The audience was shocked by his flippant remarks about patriotism;30
665242169932. Graveserious or solemn; sober; weighty, momentous, or important; threatening a seriously bad outcome or involving serious issues; critical31
665242170033. Iidyllic (ī-dĭl'ĭk)unspoiled, sylvan, pastoral; charmingly simple or rustic: his idyllic life in Tahiti. Straightforward and carefree: a pleasant vacation in a seashore cottage; excellent and delightful in all respects; "an idyllic spot for a picnic."32
665242170134. Inane (ĭn-ān')lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly: inane questions; empty; void; pointless33
665242170235. Incredulous (ĭn-krěj'ə-ləs)indicating or showing unbelief: an incredulous smile; not credulous; disinclined or indisposed to believe; skeptical34
665242170336. Indignant (ĭn-dĭg'nənt)feeling, characterized by, or expressing intense displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base: indignant remarks; an indignant expression on his face; angry, resentful, infuriated, mad35
665242170437. Insolent (ĭn'sə-lənt)boldly rude or disrespectful; contemptuously impertinent; insulting: an insolent reply; brazen; contemptuous36
665242170538. Introspectiveconsider one's own internal state or feelings; to look into or examine (one's mind, emotions, etc.).37
665242170639. Laudatory (lô'də-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē)containing or expressing praise: overwhelmed by the speaker's laudatory remarks. Adulatory, complimentary, commendatory38
665242170740. Melancholy (měl'ən-kŏl'ē)a gloomy state of mind, esp. when habitual or prolonged; depression; sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness; Sadness or depression of the spirits; gloomy; mournful39
665242170841. Mirthful (mûrth'fəl)joyous; gay; jolly: a mirthful laugh; full of gladness and gaiety40
665242170942. Macabre (mə-kä'brə) muh-kah-bruhgruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrible; of, about, dealing with, or representing death, esp. its grimmer or uglier aspect.41
665242171043. Naïvehaving or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous; having or showing the unaffected simplicity of nature or absence of artificiality; unsophisticated; ingenuous42
665242171144. Ominous (ŏm'ə-nəs)portending evil or harm; foreboding; threatening; inauspicious: an ominous bank of dark clouds; a bad omen43
665242171245. Patronizingdisplaying or indicative of an offensively condescending manner: a polite greeting, accompanied by a gentle pat on the pack; to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward a professor who patronizes his students.44
665242171346. Pedanticoverly concerned with minute details or formalisms, esp. in teaching; didactic, doctrinaire; Characterized by a narrow, often ostentatious concern for book learning and formal rules: a pedantic attention to details45
665242171447.Petulant (pěch'ə-lənt)moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, esp. over some trifling annoyance: a petulant toss of the head. Irritable, peevish, fretful, pettish, touchy; Unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; peevish46
665242171548. Pithy (pĭth'ē)brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse; forcible: a pithy observation; succinct, pointed, meaty, concise47
665242171649. Poignantemotionally impactful; keen or strong in mental appeal: a subject of poignant interest; affecting or moving the emotions48
665242171750. Repugnantdistasteful, objectionable, or offensive; opposed or contrary, as in nature or character; making opposition; antagonistic, adverse, hostile49
665242171851. Resignedsubmissive or acquiescent (āk'wē-ěs'ənt)--willing to carry out orders or wishes of another50
665242171952. Reticent (rět'ĭ-sənt)disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved; taciturn, quiet, uncommunicative; reluctant or restrained; Inclined to keep one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs to oneself. Restrained or reserved in style.51
665242172053. Reverentfeeling, exhibiting, or characterized by reverence; deeply respectful: feeling or showing profound respect or veneration52
665242172154. Scathing (skāthing)bitterly severe, as a remark; harmful, injurious, or searing; to attack with harsh criticism; excoriate.53
665242172255. Terse-neatlyeffectively concise; brief and pithy; abruptly concise; curt; brusque; succinct, compact, neat, concentrated54
665242172356. Turgid (tûr'jĭd)inflated, overblown, or pompous; bombastic: turgid language; Excessively ornate or complex in style or language; grandiloquent: turgid prose.55
665242172457. Vehement (vē'ə-mənt)zealous; ardent; impassioned; characterized by rancor or anger; violent; strongly emotional; intense or passionate56
665242172558. Vivaciouslively; animated; gay; spirited; brisk57
665242172659. Whimsicalgiven to whimsy or fanciful notions; capricious; erratic; unpredictable58
665242172760. Wistfulcharacterized by melancholy; longing; yearning; reflective, musing, meditative, forlorn59

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