speech tone words

The Ultimate List Of Tone Words

As a writer, you know how important it is to choose the right word for the meaning you’re trying to convey.

And part of that is knowing what tone words are and which one to use in a particular context. 

The wrong one is like an errant note in an otherwise flawless performance. Even if it has the same dictionary definition, it just doesn’t sound right. 

But where do you go to find the words with just the right tone and cadence to make the sentence flow as it should? 

Welcome to our ultimate list of tone words . 

175 Words to Describe Tone for Authors

Positive tone words, negative tone words, neutral tone words, final thoughts, what are tones in writing.

Tone in writing is like the voice or mood that jumps off the page when you’re reading a story or an article. For example, when listening to your favorite song notice how it can make you feel happy, sad, excited, or calm.

Tone in writing works the same way but through words. It’s the writer’s way of showing their point of view toward the subject or the audience.

Understanding tone is like being a detective for feelings and attitudes, helping you get the real vibe of what you’re reading. It makes reading more colorful and helps you connect with the written words.

Any tone words list (worth the time it takes to make it) should provide the fuller meaning of each word — i.e., not just the denotation (dictionary definition) but it’s connotations, too. 

For this tone words list, you’ll see each tone word example explained with a short definition or with synonyms that have the same general tone.  

All you have to do is open a thesaurus to find synonyms for a particular word to realize that some of those words do NOT have the tone you’re looking for.

Some are obviously negative. Some are positive. And the rest are more or less neutral. 

Related: 111 Negative Adjectives To Describe A Person

The tone word you need for the moment is the one that evokes the right emotions and that allows your sentence to flow without speed bumps.  

Positive tone words are those that evoke positive emotions.

If you hear a person described in words with a positive tone, you’re more likely to think favorably of them, even before you’ve met.

• Adoring — loving ardently; worshipping; venerating 
• Amused — entertained or diverted; pleased
• Animated — lively; full of excitement or enthusiasm; vibrant; spirited; impassioned
• Appreciative — grateful or thankful; showing gratitude, approval, or pleasure
• Assertive — sure of oneself; brave or fearless; self-confident; authoritative
• Ardent — passionate; enthusiastic; fervent; zealous
• Benevolent — kind; generous; compassionate; tolerant; well meaning
• Blithe — in good spirits; of a sunny disposition; happy; cheerful
• Bold — audacious or daring; assertive; fearless or seeming to be fearless
• Calm — serene or tranquil; unruffled or unshaken; placid
• Candid — honest or truthful; straightforward; unreserved
• Celebratory — paying tribute to; glorifying; praising or honoring; making merry
• Cheerful / cheery — positive or uplifting; optimistic; salutary; 
• Comforting — consoling; healing; warming or calming; soothing
• Comic — funny/humorous ; amusing or entertaining; diverting
• Compassionate — empathetic or sympathetic; nonjudgmental; quick to forgive
• Contented — wanting for nothing; grateful; accepting 
• Curious — inquisitive or questioning; wanting to know more
• Direct — straightforward; blunt; lacking in hesitation
• Earnest — serious; wholehearted; sincere or showing deep sincerity or feeling
• Ebullient — high-spirited; brimming with enthusiasm or excitement; exuberant
• Elated — joyful or jubilant; in high spirits; happy or proud
• Elevated — exalted; lofty; honored
• Eloquent — beauty or fluidity of expression; 
• Empathetic — showing empathy; feeling the emotions of others
• Enchant — cast a spell over; entrance; bewitch
• Endearing — inspiring warmth or affection
• Enthusiastic — excited; energetic; optimistic; bubbling over
• Exhilarated — invigorated; enlivened or feeling alive; stimulated; made cheerful
• Forthright — straight to the point; frank; outspoken; unambiguous; direct
• Gentle — kind; considerate; tender; soft; not severe; gradual; moderate
• Hilarious — amusing; uproariously funny; ridiculous or laughable
• Inspirational — motivating ; energizing; reassuring; instilling hope; catalyzing
• Intimate — familiar; confidential; confessional; private
• Joyful — filled with gratitude; elated or exuberant; supremely happy
• Laudatory — praising; extolling; recommending
• Learned — educated; knowledgeable; erudite; involved in the pursuit of knowledge
• Lighthearted — positive; carefree; relaxed; optimistic; in good spirits
• Lively — full of life; energetic; vigorous; animated; spirited; sprightly; vivacious
• Lofty — exalted in rank; elevated in tone, style, or sentiment
• Loving — affectionate; showing deep concern or solicitude for someone
• Modest — free from ostentation; unpretentious; showing humility 
• Objective — without prejudice; fair; basing judgment on facts rather than feelings
• Optimistic — hopeful; cheerful; expecting good; disposed to taking a favorable view
• Powerful — potent; efficacious; having or exerting great power; forceful
• Reassuring — restoring hope, security, or confidence
• Reflective — given to reflection , meditation, or contemplation; thoughtful
• Relaxed — calm; free or relieved of tension, trouble, or anxiety
• Respectful — full of or showing politeness, sympathy, or deference
• Reverent — showing deep respect; holding someone or something in high esteem
• Righteous — morally right or justifiable; pious; guiltless; upright
• Romantic — imbued with idealism; preoccupied with love, adventure, justice, etc.
• Sanguine — hopeful; cheerfully optimistic; confident of a good outcome
• Scholarly — learned; educated; committed to furthering one’s education
• Self-assured — having or showing self-confidence; bold or fearless; forward
• Sincere — honest; truthful; not false or deceitful; free of hypocrisy; genuine
• Stable — not likely to fall or give way (as a structure/support); steady
• Stately — grand; imposing in size or magnificence; elegant; majestic
• Straightforward — honest; straight to the point; not roundabout; direct
• Sympathetic — understand what another is feeling; showing compassion
• Tender — gentle; soft-hearted; compassionate; kind; delicate; young
• Thoughtful — considerate of others; thinking before acting; pensive
• Tolerant — open-minded; patient; charitable; sympathetic; lenient; accepting
• Tranquil — calm; unruffled; unprovoked; peaceful; placid; serene
• Vibrant — full of life and vigor; lively; full of vivid color; vivacious 
• Whimsical — playful or fun; offbeat; mischievous; quaint; capricious; fanciful
• Witty — quick-witted; entertaining; amusingly clever; intelligent
• Wonder — admiration; fascination; awe; curiosity; amazement; admiration

Anything described in negative tone words is likely to leave you with a bad impression, whether the thing described is a place, a book, or a group of people.

Choose your words carefully. If this is a time for honest negativity, this list will help you find the right words .

• Abashed — embarrassed or ashamed; humiliated; shy
• Abhorring — hating; despising; loathing; abominating; detesting
• Abstruse — difficult to understand; esoteric; secret or hidden; obsolete
• Absurd — laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous; senseless; illogical; untrue
• Accusatory — suggesting someone (else) has done something wrong
• Acerbic — biting, abrasive, cutting, or sharp; hurtful; severe
• Aggressive — hostile, forceful, argumentative, contentious 
• Angry — irate or furious; menacing or threatening; resentful 
• Annoyed — irritated; agitated; provoked; disturbed; bothered
• Antagonistic — argumentative or contentious; contrarian; belligerent
• Anxious — focused on negative thought loops; feeling out of control
• Apathetic — indifferent or lacking concern; unemotional; showing little interest
• Apprehensive — worried or nervous; expecting the worst
• Arrogant — conceited or self-important; overbearing; condescending
• Authoritarian — domineering or bossy; insisting on complete obedience
• Belligerent — bellicose or warlike; antagonistic; combative 
• Bewildered — baffled, confused, or flummoxed; lost
• Bitter — angry; acrimonious; resentful or dwelling on past injury
• Boorish — dull; pretentious; arrogant or self-absorbed
• Brusque — abrupt or dismissive; rough; blunt
• Callous — uncaring or unfeeling; indifferent; lacking in compassion
• Caustic — making cutting or corrosive comments; intending injury
• Censorious — critical or quick to judge or condemn; 
• Choleric — quick to anger; short-tempered; hot-blooded; irascible
• Churlish — critical in a mean-spirited way; nasty; belligerent; bullying
• Cliché — overused; trite; stale; unimaginative; hackneyed; commonplace
• Clinical — humorless; detached; unfeeling or uncaring; aloof; cold
• Complicated — unnecessarily complex; difficult to comprehend
• Condescending — patronizing; talking down to those you consider beneath you
• Confounded — confused; befuddled or mystified; bewildered; damned
• Confused — bewildered; unable to think clearly; vague; perplexed; disoriented
• Contemptuous — hateful; spiteful; quick to hold others in contempt; toxic
• Contentious — argumentative or combative; quick to stir the pot
• Critical — finding fault; complaining or criticizing; disapproving 
• Cruel — causing pain or suffering; unkind; spiteful; devoid of humane feelings
• Cynical — critical of motives; quick to assume the worst; mocking or sneering
• Derisive — mocking; sarcastic; dismissive or scornful; snide 
• Derogatory — insulting or demeaning; disrespectul; unkind 
• Detached — aloof or distant; uncaring; unfeeling; frigid; machine-like
• Diabolic — demonic or satanic; evil or malicious; 
• Diffident — lacking confidence in your ability or worth; timid or shy
• Disgusted — appalled; repulsed; repelled; disappointed
• Disparaging — critical; scornful; dismissive; insulting
• Distressing — saddening or heartbreaking; troubling; disturbing 
• Dogmatic — thinking in black and white; intolerant; inflexible; close-minded
• Domineering — imposing your beliefs and/or authority on others; tyrannical
• Dubious — questionable or having questionable motives; inclined to doubt 
• Egotistical — ego-centric; self-centered or self-absorbed; vain; arrogant
• Enraged — furious; unhinged; infuriated; extremely angry
• Evasive — cryptic or unclear; avoiding; ambiguous; elusive or evanescent
• Facetious — inappropriate or impertinent; flippant or dismissive; glib; shallow
• Farcical — ridiculous; absurd; mocking; humorous and highly improbable
• Fatalistic — pessimistic; expecting the worst as inevitable
• Fearful — frightened; afraid; terrified; paralyzed or immobilized; shy
• Flippant — casual or thoughtless; glib; inconsiderate; dismissive 
• Foppish — dandified; pretentious; vain; excessively refined and fastidious
• Foreboding — dread; strong feeling of impending doom or evil
• Frivolous — unnecessary and costing more than it’s worth; silly or lacking 
• Frustrated — feeling thwarted in your efforts; feeling besieged or undermined
• Ghoulish — delighting in the loathesome, perverse, or revolting
• Grim — serious or humorless; of dark intent; macabre; depressing
• Hapless — unfortunate or appearing to be doomed to perpetual bad luck
• Harsh — unkind or unmerciful; unnecessarily painful; unyielding 
• Humble — modest; deferential; self-confident; unassuming; respectful
• Inane — foolish; stupid; silly or nonsensical; vacuous; empty; insignificant
• Incredulous — disbelieving; unconvinced; suspicious; questioning; skeptical
• Malicious — having ill intent; mean-spirited; spiteful; vindictive
• Naïve — unsuspecting; gullible or easy to deceive; unsophisticated
• Narcissistic — self-admiring; pathologically self-centered
• Obsequious — fawning; overly submissive or obedient; servile; groveling 
• Outraged — furious or extremely angered; deeply offended
• Pretentious — affected; artificial; grandiose; flashy; superficial
• Satirical — mocking to show a weakness; ridiculing; derisive; scornful
• Sarcastic — ironic; saying the opposite of what you mean to mock or ridicule
• Scathing — harsh; critical; cutting; unsparing; vicious; harmful or injurious
• Sensationalistic — inaccurate; hyped up; exxagerated; provocative
• Subjective — biased; prejudiced; based on emotion rather than facts
• Sulking — resentful; sullen; bad-tempered; grumpy; self-pitying
• Tragic — calamitous; disastrous; catastrophic; devastating
• Uneasy — worried; ill at ease; edgy; nervous; unsettled
• Vindictive — vengeful; spiteful; petty; unforgiving; hateful
• World-weary — bored; tired; cynical; pessimistic

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Sad Tone Words

Some negative tone words leave you with an impression of sadness rather than disgust or anger.

Here’s a sampling of these, most of them described using other sad tone words.

• Apologetic — full of regret or remorse; repentant; acknowleding failure 
• Depressed — lacking in energy or buoyancy; apathetic; emotionally blunted
• Despairing — hopeless; sinking without an attempt to rise; seeing only darkness
• Disheartening — discouraging; depressing; demoralizing; undermining; sad
• Gloomy — depressing; dreary; discouraging; sad or low-spirited; pessimistic
• Grave — serious; morose or moribund; solemn; weighty; important
• Hollow — lacking substance; empty; meaningless; joyless
• Melancholy — sad or prone to sadness; having a gloomy outlook
• Pathetic — evoking pity; marked by sorrow or sadness; pitifully inadequate
• Somber — gloomy; solemn; grave; melancholy; depressing 
• Wretched — miserable; sorrowful; distressed or in agony; despairing

When you want a neutral tone in writing, it can be hard to find.

It doesn’t take much for us to associate words with an emotion or to feel the emotional undercurrent of a word — whether positive or negative and to whatever degree. But some neutral words remain. 

• Ambivalent — uncertain; having mixed feelings; undecided
• Cautionary — raises awareness; gives warning; admonishing
• Compliant — in conformity with rules/expectations; flexible; acquiescent
• Conciliatory — meant to pacify or placate; seeking to please 
• Colloquial — familiar; everyday language; casual or informal
• Defensive — defending or guarding a position; watchful; preventing aggression
• Formal — respectful; following accepted rules/styles; preserving form/custom
• Impartial — objective; not favoring either side over the other
• Intense — deeply felt; concentrated; passionate; earnest; extreme
• Introspective — inward-focused or turning inward; contemplative
• Pensive — lost in thought; introspective or reflective; contemplative
• Pragmatic — realistic; dispassionate or detached; ruled by logic; practical
• Solemn — serious; not funny; in earnest; sober; reverent; grave; mirthless
• Urgent — insistent; implying something must be done as soon as possible

Now that you’ve looked through our list of tones, which ones stood out for you the most? What kind of tone did those words have (positive, negative, or neutral)? 

Sometimes, our moods make certain words stand out for us as more fitting or more resonant. And sometimes we just see them because we’ve used them or heard them used recently — in a way that made them stick.

I hope your life gives you plenty of reasons to use positive tone words. But some situations and contexts call for the opposite. Your current work in progress might call for plenty of the opposite. 

And in certain contexts, even the neutral tone words sound more negative than otherwise. The right context can even change the tone of words that are usually considered positive.

I hope the words you use to describe yourself are kind and encouraging. And at the end of the day, may the balance of your words leave you with a smile. 

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 122 tone words to set the mood in your story.

General Education

In writing, an author’s tone is his or her general attitude or feelings about the work’s subject matter and audience. Tone words are used to help express that attitude.

In this article, we’ll talk about what tone words are, analyze their use in several examples, and give a list of tone words with definitions that you can use in your writing.

What Are Tone Words?

Authors convey tone through diction (word choice), viewpoint, and syntax. Tone words are specific words that help express an author’s attitude about the subject matter.

Words typically have a positive, negative, or neutral connotation. Tone words help authors show whether they feel positively, negatively, or neutrally about what they’re writing about.

Here are some examples of tone words in action:

• The proposal is so absurd that it can’t possibly be taken seriously.

The tone word “absurd” indicates that the writer finds the proposal ridiculous or silly.

• The politician’s speech was eloquent.

The tone word “eloquent” has a positive connotation, which indicates that the author found the speech articulate and persuasive.

Tone vs Voice

Many writers confuse tone and voice or use the two terms interchangeably. In fact, they’re very different.

As we’ve already discussed, tone indicates an author or character’s attitude towards a certain topic or situation . In nonfiction, tone words indicate what the author thinks. In fiction, tone words can help to set the mood, showing whether a particular situation or interaction is tense, happy, sad, etc.

Voice, on the other hand, refers to the overall personality of a work. An author’s voice may be sarcastic, informative, friendly, or something else entirely.

You can remember the difference this way: tone changes all the time. Voice refers to the character that a piece has throughout. Tone can change from sentence to sentence, while voice stays consistent.

Here’s an example:

In a young adult novel, the author has a casual voice. She doesn’t use a particularly complex vocabulary and her writing is very approachable. Within the story, the character experiences conflict and triumph. In the scenes where there is conflict, the tone words indicate tension. In the scenes where there is triumph, tone words indicate joy.

The author’s overall type of word choice and approach to writing will remain the same throughout the work, but the specific words she uses will change as she describes different situations.

Put another way: voice is how readers recognize you, the author, in your work. Voice is personal to each author and lasts throughout a piece. Tone words, on the other hand, indicate the author's (or character's) reactions to or opinions of events that are happening. As different events happen, the tone shifts.

How to Find the Right Tone for Your Work

To find the right tone for your work, you need to consider your audience and message.

Start by asking yourself these three questions:

• Who am I writing this piece for?
• What am I trying to tell my reader?
• How do I want my reader to feel?

Your audience will dictate the types of words you choose. If you’re writing for an academic audience, you may use more complicated language than if you’re writing for kids. You also want to consider what you're telling your reader. Do you want them to walk away with a positive or negative opinion of what you're presenting? How do you want them to feel about the information you're giving?

These questions will help you decide what words to use in your work.

Tone Word Example Analysis

Let’s take a look at two examples of tone words in classic literature.

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway

“It was very late and everyone had left the cafe except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light. In the day time the street was dusty, but at night the dew settled the dust and the old man liked to sit late because he was deaf and now at night it was quiet and he felt the difference.”

This excerpt demonstrates a calm, peaceful tone. Words like “settled” and “quiet” indicate the old man is relaxed and feeling safe.

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe

“I gasped for breath, and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly, more vehemently but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why WOULD they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men, but the noise steadily increased. O God! What COULD I do? I foamed -- I raved -- I swore!”

This passage from The Tell-Tale Heart indicates a nervous, anxious tone. The phrases “violent gesticulations” and “heavy strides” display the rising action and contribute to the feeling of intensity.

The Ultimate List of Tone Words

These tone words will help establish the tone in your work.

Tone Words: Final Thoughts

Tone words help you convey your attitude towards a subject. Tone can change throughout your work as you talk about different topics.

There are thousands of tone words you can use to express your attitude in your work.

What’s Next?

Reading The Great Gatsby for class or even just for fun?  Then you'll definitely want to check out our expert guides on the biggest themes in this classic book, from love and relationships to money and materialism .

Got questions about Arthur Miller's  The Crucible ? Read our in-depth articles to learn about the most important themes in this play  and to get  a complete rundown of all the characters .

For more information on your favorite works of literature, take a look at our collection of high-quality book guides !

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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AP® English Language

The ultimate list of tone words for ap® english language.

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

The tone , or quality of feeling, conveyed by a word can range according to its general meaning. Of course, the meaning of a word sometimes changes according to its usage, but generally words have positive, negative, or neutral connotations. Take a look at this ultimate list of tone words to prepare you for the AP® English Composition Exam:

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26 thoughts on “the ultimate list of tone words for ap® english language”.

Can something have an idealistic tone?

Is Timidly a tone word?

Seeing as diffident can be used as a tone word…timid could certainly be used as a word to describe an author’s tone.

what can be a tone word when the author is questioning their identity

Maybe dubious or skeptical from the list outlined.

Is courage a tone?

Courage is a noun so not quite; you could speak with courage though. Or be bold. Bold is an adjective that could be used to describe the tone of someone who is courageous.

Maybe it can be symbolize braver or that they’re not scared…that you can hear and feel the courage in his words. He wasn’t scared to say want he wanted, and you knew because you can here this tone or emotion in the words that were coming out of his mouth. Like it was a natural instinct.

What about hypocritical? Or anything similar?

Maybe try “pious” instead.

I belive the definition under celebratory is incorect.

Great catch — thanks! The definition of “celebratory” is fixed now.

Can progressive be considered a tone word?

It’s hard to say without having more context of what you’re trying to describe — maybe try words like “hopeful” or “ardent” instead of “progressive”.

Is responsible a tone?

Maybe try “respected” or “dignified” instead of “responsible” to describe tone.

Where are you getting these definitions from? They don’t look like any definitions in standard English language dictionaries? Thank U! 🙂

Hi Lance, thanks for asking! These definitions are largely pulled from Dictionary.com and then edited for length/clarity. I hope that helps!

What is the best tone tone to describe someone who lost their power and their questioning how it even happened.

Perhaps “forlorn” might work!

what’s a tone that has the same meaning as intense?

“Ardent” might work well!

cool ! thanks. Nice article

What does light tone mean

Hi An, great question! When a text uses a light tone, it is light-hearted and relaxed. You can think of it as the opposite of a dark, ominous tone, which implies that something bad or negative is about to happen.

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100 Tone Words to Express Mood in Your Writing

June 30, 2023

Have you ever struggled to find just the right word to describe an author’s attitude in a sentence or character in a scene? Or do you worry about repetitiveness in your word choice? Here is where exploring a wide range of tone or mood words will come in handy. Generating a robust inventory of tone or mood words will boost your writing’s analysis and accuracy. In addition, cultivating an arsenal of these terms will help you to more accurately assess the text that you aim to describe. Mastering this tone words list will help you become a better reader and demonstrate that in your writing.

What exactly is a tone word? Tone words help depict the mood or attitude of an author, speaker, or character in a certain context. In some instances, you yourself might use tone words not to describe the writing of another but in your own writing, to set the mood. Overall, tone words depict a kind of emotional quality or the attitude of a part of an argument. We can glean an author’s tone by analyzing their word choice, syntax, sentence structure, and perspective.

Tone vs. Voice

The tone differs from the overall style or voice of a piece. This is because tone can vary from situation to situation, moment to moment, and topic to topic so it’s important to deploy specific language to characterize it most accurately. The tone can be amused in one paragraph, defensive in the next, and lofty in yet another! (*The definition of all bolded terms can be found in the list below*).

Tone words demonstrate analysis and assessment of different kinds of texts. If you say “That op-ed was melodramatic ” that means you interpret the article as being excessively emotional and therefore not the most reliable source. On the other hand, if you describe a report as scholarly and incisive , that means that you found the article likely well-researched, accurate, and straight to the point. By effectively terming the tone and mood of a piece, you offer a kind of summary and evaluation for your reader.

What is Tone in Literature?

Using tone words to understand and interpret a text for your reader goes beyond assessing whether an article is a valid source or not. By naming the tone and its shifts across the moment, character, and text you begin to tease out the complexities, layers, and contrasts within a work of art.

As an example of how we match a tone to a tone word , let’s take a look at an excerpt from the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost ( a full analysis of the poem can be found here ). The poet writes “long I stood / And looked down one as far as I could / To where it bent in the undergrowth.” Here, the words “long I stood” indicate an enduring examination, emphasized further by the next few lines where the poet strains to look and assess as much as possible. We might use the tone words “ philosophical ” and “ pensive ” to describe the tone here. But of course, the tone shifts in nuance and gradation throughout the poem. We end on a different tone, where in the last stanza the speaker reflects back on that day and says “I shall be telling this with a sigh.”

Tone Words List (Continued)

This reflection of looking back on the past could be seen as a bit nostalgic for the moments prior to making the choice of which road to travel and perhaps regretful  of the choice he ultimately made, due to the fact that he will tell it “with a sigh.” But digging even deeper, because the short poem does not directly describe feelings or reach a clearly articulated conclusion, we could describe the tone as restrained and even verging toward evasive . By tracking the different tone words we might use to describe each part of a piece of writing, we get a clear picture of the emotional and rhetorical arc.

As you can see, we can interpret tone (and find the appropriate tone word) by analyzing the mood of the descriptive words or plot in a passage. If you’re reading a novel by Dennis Cooper or Toni Morrison you will likely encounter descriptions of and contemplations on death, the dead, and gruesome violence. Based on the description or plot points, you might then say those passages as macabre .

We can also assess tone by interpreting the type of language used. If you’re reading the poem “ Having A Coke With You ” by Frank O’Hara or “ An American Poem ” by Eileen Myles, you will likely encounter lines with a lot of everyday and conversational terms and phrases. In accord, you might describe such moments in these poems as colloquial.

Tone and Analyzing Literature

Tone words also emerge from analyzing the formal aspects of a piece of writing. If you’re reading Ernest Hemmingway or Jackie Ess you might encounter passages with a lot of short, unadorned sentences, devoid of excessive language or description. The tone words terse and curt might effectively convey the mood of those sections.

Lastly, tone words are a useful tool for the analysis of any text and might prove immensely powerful to use in your papers for humanities courses. If you are a creative writer, tone words can bolster the force of your storytelling, character development, and world-building. They can also provide you with a range of ways to bring out thematics and emotionality in your poetry with intention.

Positive, Negative, & Neutral Tone Words

Typically, you can categorize tone words into the categories of positive, negative, and neutral. I’ve indicated such connotations, when relevant, with a + for positive, – for negative, and = for neutral. Some tone words might have multiple or all possible connotations, as their meaning might and mood might depend on their context.

100 Tone Words

Below are 100 Tone Words and their definitions to familiarize yourself with and help make you a better writer!

1) Absurd:  unreasonably, ridiculous, illogical (-)

2) Accusatory: suggesting that someone has done something wrong (-)

3) Acerbic: sharply critical or sarcastic (-)

4) Admonishing: firmly warn, reprimand, or urge (-)

5) Amused: entertained, humored, or delighted (+)

6) Apathetic: indifferent; having no emotion or response (=)

7) Bitter: angry, hostile, or resentful (-)

8) Blunt: straightforward, plainspoken, candid (=)

9) Brusque: blunt, abrupt, or impatient (-/=)

10) Callous: uncaring, harsh, or ruthless in indifference (-)

11) Candid: frank, straightforward, honest (=)

12) Colloquial: using everyday, familiar, conversational language (not formal) (=)

13) Commanding: expressing a position of authority; powerful (+/=)

14) Curt: short, terse, often rudely so (-)

15) Concerned: worried, anxious (=)

16) Conciliatory: intending to pacify or appease; peacemaking (=/+)

17) Contentious: argumentative, provocative, controversial (-)

18) Cynical: distrustful, doubtful of sincerity or motives (-)

19) Defensive: trying to defend or protect; anxious to avoid criticism (=)

20) Demeaning: speaking down to someone, disrespectful toward others (-)

21) Derisive: mocking or ridiculing (-)

22) Disdainful: disrespectful, scornful (-)

23) Dignified: speaking in a way worthy of respect; serious, formal (+)

24) Diplomatic: speaking tactfully and conciliatorily in stressful situations; at times to advance one’s own ends (+/-/=)

25) Disparaging: derogatory, speaking poorly about something (-)

26) Earnest: sincere, serious conviction (=/+)

27) Ebullient: cheerful, energetic, exuberant (+)

28) Egotistical: self-absorbed, self-centered, very conceited (-)

29) Effusive: unrestrained and heartful expression of approval or pleasure (+)

30) Empathetic: imagining, relating to, or feeling what another feels; demonstrating a high level of emotional understanding (+)

31) Evasive: intentionally ambiguous, vague, or avoidant; roundabout or not direct (-)

32) Facetious: intentionally joking in attitude and unserious in intent (=)

33) Farcical: absurd, ridiculous, or silly (=)

34) Flippant: glib, unserious, lacking proper respect, dismissive (-/=)

35) Formal: official, professional, academic; thorough and precise (+/=)

36) Grave: evoking of impending threat; serious or solemn (-)

37) Humble: not arrogant, haughty, or egotistical (+)

38) Hypercritical: excessively judgmental, overly critical (-)

39) Impartial: not taking sides, unbiased, neutral (=)

40) Impassioned: great intensity of feeling or zeal (+)

Tone Words List(Continued)

41) Imploring: to frame a request in an urgent manner; to beg (=)

42) ) Inane: unimportant, insubstantial, lacking significance (-)

43) Incensed: extremely angered by an injustice or wrongdoing, heated (-)

44) Incisive: clear and direct, trenchant (+)

45) Incredulous: skeptical, not wanting to or able to believe (=)

46) Indignant: upset at an injustice

47) Informative: providing clear information about a particular topic (+)

48) Intimate: warm, friendly, or personal (+)

49) Ironic: not being serious, saying something the author doesn’t mean cynically joking (=)

50) Irreverent: unserious, disrespectfully so; satirical (-)

51) Jaded: cynical or apathetic due to past experience or knowledge (-/=)

52) Jocund: lively, in high spirits, cheerful (+)

53) Judgmental: harsh and critical, at times without reason (-)

54) Laudatory: full of praise or admiration (+)

55) Light-hearted: easygoing, hopeful, cheerily optimistic (+)

56) Lofty: elevated style or sentiment; potentially condescending or arrogant (+/-/=)

57) Lugubrious: glum, mournful, or gloomy, especially exaggeratedly so (-)

58) Macabre: gruesome and horrifying; at times pertaining to grim death (-)

59) Malicious: intending to harm, embarrass, or upset a person or their reputation (-)

60) Melodramatic: overly emotional, sentimental, or sensationalizing (-)

Tone Words (Continued)

61) Mirthful: joyful, merry, full of cheer (+)

62) Mocking: making fun or someone or something, often by exaggeratedly mirroring them (-)

63) Naïve: unknowing, inexperienced, innocent (-/=)

64) Nonplussed (conventional use): perplexed, surprised, confused; (colloquial use) unimpressed, unfazed (-/=)

65) Nostalgic: affectionately thinking about or desiring the past; yearning to return to the past (=)

66) Objective: impartial, neutral, rational (+/=)

67) Obsequious: overeager to help or agree with someone, adoring and obedient attentiveness (-)

68) Optimistic: having a positive outlook on the future; hopeful about outcomes (+)

69) Outspoken: speaking without reservation; freely speaking; frank (+/=)

70) Patronizing: exhibiting an attitude of superiority toward others; condescending (-)

71) Pedantic: showy about one’s learnedness, concerned with small details, a tone of overly instructive (-)

72) Pensive: thoughtful, contemplative; at times tinged with sadness (-/+/=)

73) Pessimistic: having a negative outlook on the future; belief in a bad outcome (-)

74) Philosophical: calm, contemplative attitude toward possible disappointments or challenges (+)

75) Placid: peaceful, tranquil, serene (+)

76) Pragmatic: concerned with practical, rather than artistic, pleasurable, or decorative, matters; utilitarian (+/=)

77) Pretentious: exaggerated self-importance, particularly self-consciously attempting to appear smart or smarter than others (-)

78) Recalcitrant: Difficult to deal with, undisciplined, disobedient (-)

79) Regretful: sorrowful and apologetic because of what was done, lost, or gone (-)

80) Resentful: upset, bitter, or frustrated in response to mistreatment or wrongdoing by another to (-)

81) Resigned: accepting a negative fate or outcome that you cannot change (-)

82) Restrained: controlled, holding back, not saying the entirety of what might want to say (=)

83) Reticent: shy, reserved, or restrained in speech (-/=)

84) Reverent: demonstrated much respect, worshipful (+)

85) Righteous: strong belief in the correctness of one’s own actions (+/-/=)

86) Sanguine: hopeful, strongly optimistic (+)

87) Satirical: using irony, derision, and wit to make a critique; making fun of the powerful via parody (=)

88) Sarcastic: saying or doing the opposite of what one means in order to mock or insult (=)

89) Scathing: harsh and critical, severe, often unkind (-)

90) Scholarly: elevated, intellectual speech; formal, direct, and objective

91) Sensationalistic: intentionally shocking or exciting through style or content (=/-)

92) Sincere: serious, genuine, not deceitful (+)

93) Solemn: sober or grave (=)

94) Subjective: partial; describing feelings, judgements, or opinions; related to personal experience (=/-)

95) Terse: short, brief; potentially seeming rude or unfriendly (-/=)

96) Unassuming: modest, polite, lacking in arrogance  (+)

97) Virtuous: exemplifying moral excellence, uprightness; at times can mean someone who thinks themselves morally superior (+/-)

98) Whimsical: lightly fanciful, funny; at times motivated by whim or desire rather than reason or need (+/-/=)

99) World-weary: fatigued by or bored with the world (-)

100) Zealous: intense enthusiasm or passion (+)

Tone Words & Mood Words – Additional Resources for High School and College Students

In conclusion, we hope you found this list of 100 useful tone words to be useful. Additionally, you may find the following blogs to be of interest:

• Poetic Devices High School Students Must Know
• Literary Devices for High School Students
• Rhetorical Devices High Schoolers Must Know
• College Success
• High School Success

An experienced instructor, editor, and writer, Rebecca earned a BA in English from Columbia University and is presently pursuing a PhD at the CUNY Graduate Center in English. Her writing has been featured on The Millions , poets.org , The Poetry Project Newsletter , Nightboat Books blog, and more, and she received the Academy of American Poets Poetry Prize and Arthur E. Ford Prize for her poetry collections. 

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• Describing words

218 Tone Words to Describe Author’s Tone

• Last updated: August 26, 2022

In this post, we will offer with you a variety of tone words that will make you grin. There are several ways to characterize a voice, ranging from the tone of voice used to what the voice really sounds like.

Whether you’re seeking for the best method to describe a real person’s voice or a narrator’s voice in literature, this wide collection of words to describe tone is guaranteed to have what you’re looking for.‎

Describing the depth or richness of a person’s voice is an excellent approach to clarify the description. A pleasant-sounding, beautiful voice can be described using a variety of adjectives. So let’s dig deep and find out different types of tone words.

Table of Contents

Tone Words That Start with A

Abashed: embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed

Abstruse: obscure; difficult to understand

Absurd: ridiculous; silly

Acerbic: tone of harshness or severity

Acrimonious: angry and bitter

Admiring: showing esteem and admiration

Affectation: speech or writing that is artificial

Amused: pleasurably entertained, occupied, or diverted

Animated: vigorous or spirited

Anxious: full of mental distress or uneasiness

Audacious: bold or daring; recklessly brave; fearless

Authoritarian: accustomed to exercising authority; peremptory; dictatorial

Awestruck: filled with or revealing awe

Tone Words That Start with B

Baffled: to confuse, bewilder, or perplex

Bantering: playful conversation

Belligerent: warlike; given to waging war

Bemused: bewildered, confused, lost in thought; preoccupied

Bitter: characterized by intense antagonism or hostility

Bleak: charmless and inhospitable

Blithe: joyous, merry in disposition; glad; cheerful

Blunt: abrupt in manner; obtuse

Boorish: possessing boring nature; tedious

Brusque: abrupt in manner; blunt; rough

Businesslike: having or indicating an efficient, practical, and systematic approach to one’s work or a task

Tone Words That Start with C

Calm: free from excitement or passion; tranquil

Capricious: flighty; led by whims; erratic

Carefree: free from anxiety or responsibility

Caustic: making harsh , corrosive comments

Cautionary: serving as a warning

Censorious: severely critical; faultfinding

Chatty: readily engaging in informal talk

Cheery: in good spirits

Choleric: extremely irritable or easily angered; irascible

Cliché: an overused expression or idea

Comic: funny; humorous

Commanding: imposing; having an air of superiority

Compassionate: having or showing compassion

Complicated: complex; unusually involved or tedious

Complimentary: conveying, or expressing a compliment

Condemnatory: to express strong disapproval

Contemplative: expressing or involving prolonged thought

Contemptuous: scornful, showing contempt or disdain

Contented: satisfied, ready to accept; willing

Contentious: argumentative, quarrelsome

Curious: eager to know or learn something

Cynical: bitterly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic; sneering

Tone Words That Start with D

Defensive: used or intended to defend or protect

Defiant: showing defiance

Demoralizing: causing someone to lose confidence or hope; disheartening

Depressed: gloomy, morose; dejected; downcast

Derisive: characterized by or expressing contempt; mocking

Desperate: having an urgent need, desire

Diabolic: devilish; fiendish; outrageously wicked

Didactic: intended for instruction; instructive

Diplomatic: of or concerning diplomacy

Disapproving: expressing an unfavorable opinion

Disdainful: expressing contempt or disdain

Disgruntled: angry or dissatisfied

Distressing: causing anxiety, sorrow or pain; upsetting

Disturbed: marked by symptoms of mental illness

Domineering: overbearing; tyrannical

Doubtful: uncertain outcome or result

Dreary: causing sadness or gloom

Dry: (of information, writing, etc.) dully factual

Dubious: questionable motives, inclined to doubt

Tone Words That Start with E

Earnest: serious in intention or sincerely zealous

Ebullient: overflowing with enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited

Ecstatic: in a state of ecstasy; rapturous

Effusive: unreserved or unduly demonstrative

Elegiac: expressing sorrow or lamentation

Elevated: exalted or noble; lofty

Emotive: characterized by expressing or exciting emotion

Enchant: to cast a spell over, bewitch

Encouraging: giving someone support or confidence; supportive

Endearing: inspiring affection or warmth

Entertaining: providing amusement or enjoyment

Euphoric: a feeling of happiness, or confidence

Evasive: deliberately vague or ambiguous

Excited: emotionally aroused; stirred

Exuberant: uninhibitedly enthusiastic; excessively abundant

Tone Words That Start with F

Familiar: commonly known or seen; also, informal

Farcical: ludicrous; absurd; humorous and highly improbable

Fatalistic: an acceptance of events as inevitable

Fearful: feeling fear, or dread

Festive: cheerful and jovially celebratory

Flippant: lacking in seriousness; frivolously insincere

Foppish: of or characterized by vanity; dandified

Forceful: powerful; energetic; confident; assertive

Frank: honest; direct; plain; matter-of-fact

Frivolous: characterized by lack of seriousness

Frustrated: disappointed, or irritation

Tone Words That Start with G

Gentle: kind; considerate; mild; soft

Giddy: frivolous and lighthearted; impulsive; flighty

Gleeful: full of exultant joy; merry; delighted

Grand: impressive in size, appearance, majestic

Grim: harsh, surly, forbidding, or morbid air

Gullible: naïve; innocent; ignorant

Tone Words That Start with H

Hapless: luckless; unfortunate

Hard: unfeeling; hard-hearted; unyielding

Harsh: desolate; unpleasantly rough

Haughty: disdainfully proud; snobbish; supercilious

Hilarious: extremely funny

Histrionic: over the top dramatic

Hollow: meaningless; insincere or false

Hopeful: full of hope; expressing hope

Hopeless: providing no hope; desperate

Hostile: opposed in feeling, action, or character

Humble: deferential; modest

Humorous: characterized by humor; funny; comical

Hypercritical: unreasonably critical; hair splitting; nitpicking

Tone Words That Start with I

Impartial: not partial or biased; fair

Impassioned: filled with emotion

Impassive: without emotion; apathetic; unmoved; calm; serene

Impertinent: insolent, rude; uncivil

Imploring: pleading; begging

Impressionable: trusting; child-like

Impudent: characterized by impertinence or effrontery; rude

Inane: silly; foolish; stupid; nonsensical

Incensed: enraged

Incisive: remarkably clear and direct; sharp

Incredulous: not credulous; skeptical

Inflammatory: tending to arouse anger or hostility

Informal: without formality or ceremony; irregular; unofficial

Informative: giving information; instructive

Insipid: without distinctive or interesting qualities; vapid

Inspirational: encouraging; reassuring

Intense: earnest; passionate; concentrated; deeply felt

Ironic: containing or exemplifying irony; coincidental; unexpected

Irreverent: showing lack of respect or veneration

Irritated: angered, provoked, or annoyed

Tone Words That Start with J

Jocular: fond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful

Jocund: cheerful; merry; blithe; glad

Joyous: joyful; happy; jubilant

Judgmental: critical; finding fault; disparaging

Tone Words That Start with L

Laudatory: containing or expressing praise

Laughable: so ludicrous as to be amusing

Learned: possessing much knowledge; scholarly

Lighthearted: carefree; cheerful

Light-Hearted: carefree; relaxed; chatty; humorous

Ludicrous: provoking or deserving derision; ridiculous; laughable

Tone Words That Start with M

Macabre: gruesome; horrifying; frightening

Matter–of-fact: adhering strictly to fact; not imaginative

Mean-Spirited: inconsiderate; unsympathetic

Meditative: deeply or seriously thoughtful

Melodramatic: exaggerated or sentimental; over dramatic

Menacing: suggesting the presence of danger; threatening

Merry: cheerful and lively

Mirthful: joyous; jolly; arousing or provoking laughter

Mischievous: maliciously or playfully annoying; causing annoyance

Mock: pretending to be serious or disingenuous

Mocking: scornful; ridiculing; making fun of someone

Mourning: grieving; lamenting; woeful

Tone Words That Start with N

Naïve: innocent; unsophisticated; immature

Narcissistic: self-admiring; selfish; boastful; self-pitying

Nasty: unpleasant; unkind; disagreeable; abusive

Negative: unhappy, pessimistic

Nonchalant: coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited; casual

Nonplussed: puzzled, perplexed, or confused

Nostalgic: longing for past events

Tone Words That Start with O

Obsequious: overly obedient or submissive

Ominous: foreboding; threatening; inauspicious

Outraged: angered and resentful; indignant

Outspoken: frank; candid; frank

Overbearing: domineering; dictatorial; haughty, or rudely arrogant

Tone Words That Start with P

Patronizing: desiring harm to others or to see others suffer

Persuasive: convincing; eloquent; influential; plausible

Pessimistic: expecting the worst possible outcome

Philosophical: theoretical; analytical; rational; logical

Placid: pleasantly calm or peaceful

Playful: pleasantly humorous or jesting

Poignant: keen or strong in mental appeal

Pragmatic: realistic; sensible

Tone Words That Start with R

Reassuring: to restore to assurance or confidence

Regretful: apologetic; remorseful

Reminiscent: awakening memories of something similar; suggestive

Resentful: aggrieved; offended; displeased; bitter

Resigned: submissive or acquiescent

Reverent: deeply respectful; showing great esteem

Riotous: characterized by wild and uncontrolled behavior

Tone Words That Start with S

Sanguine: cheerfully hopeful, or confident

Sarcastic: expressing or expressive of ridicule

Sardonic: characterized by scorn; mocking; cynical; sneering

Satiric: exposing ridicule or derision

Satirical: sarcastic, critical, and mocking another’s weaknesses

Scathing: critical; stinging; unsparing; harsh

Scholarly: concerned with academic learning and research

Scornful: expressing extreme contempt

Sedate: calm, dignified, and unhurried

Self-assured: having or showing confidence

Self-depreciating: belittling or undervaluing oneself; excessively modest

Sensationalistic: the presenting of facts or stories in a way that is intended to produce strong feelings of shock, anger, or excitement

Sentimental: overly emotional; mawkishly susceptible or tender

Serene: calm, peaceful, tranquil; unruffled

Serious: not funny; sincere

Shocked: struck with fear, dread, or consternation

Shocking: causing intense surprise, disgust, horror, etc.

Sophomoric: intellectually pretentious, overconfident, conceited; immature

Speculative: theoretical, rather than practical

Sprightly: animated, vivacious, or lively

Stately: imposing in elegance

Stern: firm, strict, hard, harsh, or severe

Subdued: quiet; inhibited; repressed; controlled

Subjective: based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions

Sulking: be silent, morose, and bad-tempered out of annoyance or disappointment

Supercilious: disdainful or contemptuous

Suspenseful: characterized by or causing suspense

Suspicious: openly distrustful

Tone Words That Start with V

Vexed: irritated; annoyed

Vibrant: moving rapidly; vibrating

Vindictive: revengeful; spiteful; bitter; unforgiving

Virtuous: lawful; righteous; moral; upstanding

Vitriolic: very caustic; scathing

Tone Words That Start with W

Wistful: characterized by melancholy; longing; yearning; pensive

Witty: clever; quick-witted; entertaining

Wonder: awe-struck; admiring; fascinating

World-Weary: feeling or indicating feelings of weariness

Worried: anxious; stressed; fearful

Worshipful: showing adoration; showing great reverence

Final Thoughts on Tone Words

A word’s tone, or quality of feeling, might vary depending on its broad meaning . Of fact, the meaning of tone words can alter depending on their context, but they normally have positive, negative, or neutral implications. ‎

The tone of a piece of literature is the author’s core perspective or thoughts toward the particular subject and readership. To portray such an attitude, tone words are used.

They assist authors in expressing whether they are favorable, negative, or neutral about what they are writing about. ‎Tone words in nonfiction convey what the author believes.

Tone words may serve to create the atmosphere by indicating if a certain event or conversation is tense, joyous, sad, and so on. This article has a multitude of words to describe tone that you may use in various settings to different people. You are free to use them how you see fit. ‎

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Tone Words: 160 Useful Words to Describe Tone (with Examples)

Tone Words!!! The tone is the manner in which an author expresses his/ her attitude, the intonation of the voice that expresses meaning. Here is a list of 90 positive tone words and 70 negative tone words. This list is an excellent starting point for building up vocabulary to converse fluently in English.

Positive Tone Words

• Sympathetic
• Self-assured
• Compassionate
• Affectionate
• Conciliatory
• Encouraging
• Complimentary
• Celebratory
• Appreciative
• Exhilarated
• Straightforward
• Introspective
• Sentimental

Negative Tone Words

• Disrespectful
• Indifferent
• Threatening
• Condescending
• Disappointed
• Belligerent
• Contemptuous
• Apprehensive
• Pessimistic
• Embarrassed
• Antagonistic

Examples of Tone Words

• I did not feel at all sympathetic towards Kate.
• With another wistful sigh, she sat back in her seat.
• My father is a naturally ebullient personality.
• She was most zealous in performing her duties.
• She did her best to appear more self-assured than she felt.
• I’m confident about our victory.
• At that time I was a fervent believer in the civil service system.
• I allowed him to go home on compassionate grounds.
• He was a very scholarly young man.
• Life’s too short to be anything but happy .
• He tends to take a sanguine view of the problems involved.
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic .
• You shouldn’t be flippant about such things.
• Everybody was in a very relaxed and jolly mood.
• His comforting words helped to sustain me in my faith during those dark days.
• We deeply understand the worshipful value and the torment of the wars.
• He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
• Her parents are very proud of her.
• We can be facetious about the examples that I am using.
• The lake was placid and still under the moonlight.
• Rose was doubtful about the whole idea.
• I think young people are sometimes disrespectful in their speech.
• The letter was written in her usual acerbic style.
• He was filled with horror at the sight.
• He is a very upright man, abhorring evil as a deadly foe.
• They feel hopeless about their future.
• Her face was grim as she told them the bad news .
• I’m haunted with gloomy thoughts and sad memories.
• I was late and he was furious with me.
• He felt extremely frustrated when things went against him.
• He has an ambivalent attitude towards her.
• It is quite indifferent to me whether you go or stay.
• The government has been ambiguous on this issue.
• He was frightened at the sight of the dog.
• I’m worried about washing that shirt in case it shrinks.
• I’ve had a frantic rush to get my work done.
• I’m totally confused . Could you explain that again?
• He was notorious for his violent and threatening behavior.
• Her tone of voice was always so condescending .
• It made a very forceful impression on me.
• The mirthful ending of the movie delighted all the audience.
• If you are passionate about something, pursue it.
• Despite all the difficulties, he still remains optimistic .
• I get very nostalgic when I watch these old musicals on TV.
• His forthright behavior offends some people.
• She gave an evasive answer.
• Some people can be very pedantic about punctuation .
• To judge from what she said, she was very disappointed .
• The belligerent countries are having difficulties funding the war.
• Pitt’s smile returned, and it was hideously diabolic .

List of Tone Words | Infographic

Useful Tone Words You Should Know

Positive and Negative Tone Words

List of Tone Words in English

Last Updated on February 17, 2021

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Tone Definition

What is tone? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance, an editorial in a newspaper that described its subject as "not even having the guts to do the job himself," has a tone that is both informal and critical.

Some additional key details about tone:

• All pieces of writing, even letters and official documents, have a tone. A neutral, official tone is still a tone.
• The tone of a piece of writing may change over the course of a text to produce different effects.
• Tone and mood are not the same. Tone has to do with the attitude of the author or the person speaking, whereas mood is how the work makes the reader feel.
• The author's intentions, emotions, and personal ideas about the theme or subject matter often reveal themselves in the piece's tone.

How to Pronounce Tone

Here's how to pronounce tone:  tohn

Tone Explained

It is always possible to describe the way that a writer uses language. Therefore, every piece of writing has a tone. Even when a writer's aim is to use completely neutral language—as is often the case in scientific papers or investigative journalism—the language still sounds a certain way, whether it's "scientific," "journalistic," "formal," "professional," or even "mechanical." The way a writer makes use of tone can tell you a lot about the writer's attitude or relationship toward their subject matter and what they are trying to say about it, as well as the effect they are trying to create for their reader.

Here's just a partial list of words that are commonly used to talk about tone, with examples of the types of writing they might be used to describe:

• A particularly stirring campaign speech
• The Declaration of Independence
• Maya Angelou's famous poem, "Still I Rise"
• A sappy love poem
• An over-the-top television sermon
• A wordy letter of apology
• A know-it-all at a cocktail party
• The comments section of almost any YouTube video
• A speech made by a boastful or proud character
• A speech at a funeral
• A murder mystery
• A novel about someone's struggles with depression
• An article in the newspaper The Onion
• A work of  parody  like Don Quixote
• A  satire , like many skits on SNL
• A stand-up comedy routine
• A play like Shakespeare's As You Like It
• A TV show like Seinfeld or Friends
• A Dr. Seuss Book
• A wedding speech
• A friendly joke
• An essay you'd write for school
• A dense work of political theory
• An article analyzing a political event
• A letter from the IRS
• A scientific paper
• Instructions on how to assemble furniture

The tone of a piece of writing depends on a confluence of different factors, including:

• The connotation  of the words used: Are they positive or negative? What associations do the words bring to mind?
• The diction , or word choice: Are there lots of thou's and thine's? Does the writer use slang? Are the words long and technical, or short and childish?
• The use of figurative language :  Is there a lot of metaphor, hyperbole, or alliteration? Does the language sound lofty and poetic?
• The mood : How does the language make you feel as the reader? This can reveal a lot about the tone of the piece.

All of these things work together to determine the tone of a piece of writing.

The Difference Between Tone and Mood

The words "tone" and " mood " are often used interchangeably, but the two terms actually have different meanings.

• Tone is the attitude or general character of a piece of writing and is often related to the attitude of the writer or speaker.
• Mood refers specifically to the effect a piece of writing has on the reader .  Mood is how a piece of writing makes you feel. 

While tone and mood are distinct literary devices, they are often closely related. For example, it wouldn't be unusual for a poem with a somber tone to also have a somber mood—i.e., to make the reader feel somber as well. And as we explained above, a journalist who makes a jab at a politician might be conveying how they feel about their subject (using a critical tone) while also trying to influence their readers to feel similarly—i.e., to create a  mood of anger or outrage.

Tone Examples

Since every text has a tone, there are essentially endless examples of tone. The examples below illustrate different types of tone. 

Tone in U.A. Fanthorpe's "Not my Best Side"

The poem "Not my Best Side" by U.A. Fanthorpe has a lighthearted and ironic   tone. The poem concerns the painting  Saint George and the Dragon  by Paolo Uccello, and pokes fun at the way the various characters are portrayed in the painting—the dragon, the maiden, and the knight who is supposedly rescuing her. Fanthorpe creates a contrast between her modern, colloquial way of speaking and the medieval subject matter of her poem. Using colloquial words like "sexy" and phrases like "if you know what I mean," Fanthorpe creates a lighthearted, conversational tone. But this conversational tone also has the effect of imbuing the poem with a tone of  irony  because it is used to describe the unlikely scenario of a maiden falling in love with a dragon.

It's hard for a girl to be sure if She wants to be rescued. I mean, I quite Took to the dragon. It's nice to be Liked, if you know what I mean. He was So nicely physical, with his claws And lovely green skin, and that sexy tail

Tone in Milton's "Lycidas"

The poem "Lycidas" by John Milton has a mournful   tone. The poem was inspired by the untimely death of Milton's friend, who drowned. To express his grief, and set the sorrowful and mournful tone, Milton uses words and phrases with negative  connotations , like, "watery bier" (or "tomb"), "parching wind" and "melodious tear."

For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime, Young lycidas, and hath not left his peer. Who would not sing for Lycidas? he knew Himself to sing, and build the lofty rhyme He must not float upon his watery bier Unwept, and welter to the parching wind, Without the meed of some melodious tear.

Tone in Flaubert's  Madame Bovary

In many passages in Gustave Flaubert's  Madame Bovary , Flaubert's own cynicism about romance shines through the third-person narration to imbue the work with a tone of cynicism. Bored by her husband and desperate for a passionate love affair like the sort she reads about in romance novels, Emma Bovary gets involved with a notorious womanizer. Flaubert highlights Emma's foolishness for falling for such an obvious hack, who sees her as no different from any other mistress:

Emma was just like any other mistress; and the charm of novelty, falling down slowly like a dress, exposed only the eternal monotony of passion, always the same forms and the same language. He did not distinguish, this man of such great expertise, the differences of sentiment beneath the sameness of their expression.

Flaubert sets the cynical tone in part by describing, using figurative language , how the charm of novelty, for Madame Bovary's lover, fell down "slowly like a dress," suggesting that what she experiences as romance, her lover experiences only as an extended prelude to sex.

What's the Function of Tone in Literature?

First and foremost, tone clues readers into the essence and the purpose of what they're reading. It wouldn't make sense to use a wordy, poetic tone to write a simple set of directions, just like it wouldn't make sense to use a dry, unfeeling tone when writing a love poem. Rather, writers set the tone of their work to match not only the content of their writing, but also to suit the purpose they intend for it to serve, whether that is to convey information clearly, to make people laugh, to lavish praises on someone, or something else. Additionally, tone can serve the following purposes:

• For example, a biography of Bill Clinton might have a critical tone if the author has critical views of the former president and what he stood for, or it might have an admiring tone if the author was a staunch Clinton supporter.
• If a writer wants their readers to feel upset, he or she might use words with certain connotations to create a gloomy tone.
• Likewise, if a writer wants to create an informal tone, he or she might make use of colloquialisms , slang terms, and everyday language to make the reader feel like their familiar or their equal.

Simply put, establishing the tone of a work is important because it helps writers show readers what the work is trying to accomplish, and what attitude the work takes toward its own subject matter.

Other Helpful Tone Resources

• Wikipedia Page on Tone in Literature : A helpful overview of tone and its usage.
• A Definition of Tone : A definition of tone that includes a short overview of the difference between tone and mood.
• List of Poetic Tones : A handy chart listing a slew of tones commonly found in poetry, and all other types of literature.

• PDFs for all 136 Lit Terms we cover
• Downloads of 1929 LitCharts Lit Guides
• Teacher Editions for every Lit Guide
• Explanations and citation info for 40,694 quotes across 1929 books
• Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play
• Colloquialism
• Connotation
• Figurative Language
• Flat Character
• Tragic Hero
• Characterization
• Climax (Plot)
• Rising Action
• Parallelism
• Juxtaposition
• Verbal Irony

What are Tone Words? List of 300+ Useful Words to Describe Tone

Posted on Last updated: June 7, 2021

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It is amazing how words can magically change someone’s mood by just reading them. Words are powerful. It can build or destroy a relationship. It can make you feel loved or rejected. It can bring hope or despair. In this article, you will learn about tone words.

Table of Contents

What are Tone Words?

Referred to the emotional quality of writing. They are specific words the author use in order to emphasize the mood of the character in the story or the attitude of the author himself. It allows readers to learn about a character’s personality, thus, giving voice to it. In non-fiction, tone words, reflect the author’s thoughts. In fiction, tone words help set the mood of the situation, whether it is happy or sad, and so on.

If you are going to use tone words, you have to consider the following:

• The reason why you are writing about the subject matter.
• For whom this writing is intended.
• The lessons you would want to impart to your readers and the realization you hope them to have.

Tone Words v.s. Mood Words

It should not be mistaken for mood words because they are completely different. Tone words refer to the author’s feeling about the subject, while mood words refer to what the readers feel about the whole thing. It is the emotional effect each word creates for the audience. Tone words can change in the next paragraph, while mood words stay the same all throughout. Tone is the attitude, while the mood is the personality. Personality cannot be adjusted, but attitude can be.

Types of Tone Words

Positive Tone Words

If you want your reader to buy into your idea, use positive tone words. Remember that tone reflects the writer’s attitude towards the reader, so use words that will encourage your reader to read further and be convinced about the message you want to relay.

Negative Tone Words

It is kind of risky to use a negative tone as it tends to make the reader feel defensive and angry. They may also dislike the author in the long run if he continues to use such tone. Negative tone is used to urge compliance. The author may be successful in doing such, but it would leave a feeling to the readers that they were obliged, thus unhappy cooperation.

Neutral Tone Words

is defined as platonic words, no feelings, just facts. The risk of using neutral tone is that it is up to the reader to interpret the message you are conveying. They may perceive it as negative depending on the mood of the reader.

Funny Tone Words

or comic words are used not only to make readers laugh, but also to present complicated or difficult concepts in a lighter manner.

Here is the list of sample tone words and their meaning.

• compassion- sympathy
• dignified- nobility
• exuberant-great excitement
• lighthearted- without trouble or worry
• whimsical- out of ordinary
• bleak- gloomy
• disparaging- insulting
• egotistical-conceited
• haughty- arrogant
• menacing- threatening
• ambivalent- undecided
• complex-complicated
• detached-distant
• docile-submissive
• taciturn- reserved
• animated- to be lively
• blithe- carefree
• witty- clever
• silly- absurd
• hilarious- someone or something very funny

If you happen to possess a talent in using words to influence, by all means, use them to change the world for the better.

List of Tone Words

Learn 300+ Words to Describe Tone in English

• Instructive
• Introspective
• Domineering
• Acrimonious
• Admonishing
• Affectionate
• Affectation
• Antagonistic
• Enthusiastic
• Appreciative
• Apprehensive
• Authoritarian
• Belligerent
• Celebratory
• Ceremonial of
• Compassionate
• Complicated
• Complimentary
• Contentious
• Conversational
• Conciliatory
• Condemnatory
• Condescending
• Disappointed
• Disbelieving
• Disrespectful

Tone Words | Infographic

• Embarrassed
• Matter–of-fact
• Melancholic
• Impassioned
• Incredulous
• Indifferent
• Egotistical
• Exculpatory
• Exhilarated
• Exhortatory
• Inflammatory
• Informative
• Sentimental
• Melodramatic
• Impertinent
• Lighthearted

Words for Tone | Infographic

• Questioning
• Speculative
• Overbearing
• Mischievous
• Mock-heroic
• Pretentious
• Provocative
• Patronizing
• Self-assured
• Pessimistic
• Self-depreciating
• Recalcitrant
• Reminiscent

• Threatening
• Straightforward
• Supercilious
• Suspenseful
• Sympathetic
• Unconcerned

Words to Describe TONE | Image

Wednesday 11th of May 2022

I like it but can you make more groups so then we know it is is positive, negative, funny, etc.

coolio juilo

Saturday 6th of March 2021

Wednesday 3rd of February 2021

thanks very helpful

Monday 14th of December 2020

Try to add, "disgusted"

Wednesday 28th of October 2020

at least they tried.. :(

Tone Words: The Ultimate Vocabulary List for Improving Your English Writing Skills

By: Author ESLBUZZ

Posted on Last updated: September 6, 2023

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Tone words are an essential part of writing and communication. They help convey the author’s attitude, feelings, and emotions towards the subject matter and audience.

In this article, we will explore the world of tone words and their importance in writing and communication. We will discuss the different types of tone words, how they are used, and provide examples of how they can be incorporated into your writing. Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone who is simply interested in improving their vocabulary and writing skills, this article will provide you with valuable insights and knowledge. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Tone Words

Tone words are descriptive adjectives that convey the author’s attitude towards the subject matter and the audience. They help to create a clear and concise message by setting the tone of the writing. Tone words can be positive, negative, or neutral, and they can be used to convey a range of emotions, from excitement and enthusiasm to anger and sadness.

Here are some examples:

The Importance of Tone in Writing

Conveying the author’s attitude.

Tone in writing is the author’s attitude towards their subject matter. It is an essential element that can make or break a piece of writing. The tone can be conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and punctuation. The right tone can help the author connect with their audience and make their writing more engaging.

Using the right tone can help the author convey their message more effectively. For example, a serious tone may be appropriate for a news article, while a humorous tone may be more suitable for a blog post.

Creating Character Emotion

Tone is not only important for the author’s attitude but can also help create emotion in characters. The tone can help the reader understand the character’s feelings and motivations. For instance, a sad tone can convey the character’s sadness, while an angry tone can show their anger.

Using the right tone can help the reader connect with the character and feel their emotions. For example, a melancholic tone can help the reader empathize with a character who is going through a difficult time.

Establishing Reader Connection

Tone can also help the author establish a connection with their readers. The right tone can help the reader feel understood and engaged. The tone can also help the reader connect with the author’s message and ideas.

Using the right tone can help the author connect with their readers and make their writing more effective. For example, an encouraging tone can motivate the reader to take action, while an inquisitive tone can spark their curiosity.

Types of Tone Words

Positive tone words.

Positive tone words are used to convey a sense of happiness, enthusiasm, or optimism. They are often used to describe something that is desirable or pleasing. Here are some examples of positive tone words:

Example sentence: The bride looked radiant in her beautiful wedding gown.

Negative Tone Words

Negative tone words are used to convey a sense of sadness, anger, or pessimism. They are often used to describe something that is undesirable or unpleasant. Here are some examples of negative tone words:

Example sentence: The customer was enraged when he found out that his order was wrong.

Neutral Tone Words

Neutral tone words are used to convey a sense of objectivity or impartiality. They are often used to describe something that is factual or informative. Here are some examples of neutral tone words:

Example sentence: The report provided an objective analysis of the company’s financial performance.

Using Tone Words in Different Contexts

As a writer, it is important to understand the impact of tone words on your audience. Tone words are powerful tools that can be used to convey a specific emotion or attitude towards a subject. In this section, we will explore how to use tone words in different contexts such as academic writing, creative writing, and business communication.

Academic Writing

In academic writing, tone words should be used to convey a formal and objective tone. This means avoiding overly emotional or biased language. Here are some tone words that can be used in academic writing:

Example: The study’s findings provide cogent evidence that supports the hypothesis .

Creative Writing

In creative writing, tone words can be used to create a specific mood or atmosphere. This means using descriptive language to evoke emotions in the reader. Here are some tone words that can be used in creative writing:

Example: The sunset painted the sky with a surreal palette of pinks and oranges.

Business Communication

In business communication, tone words should be used to convey a professional and confident tone. This means using clear and concise language to convey your message. Here are some tone words that can be used in business communication:

Example: We need to take a direct approach to this problem and address it head-on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common types of tones in writing?

Tone refers to the author’s attitude towards the subject or character in a piece of writing. Some common types of tones in writing include:

• Pessimistic

What are some tone words that convey seriousness?

Serious tone words convey a sense of gravity, urgency, or importance. Here are some examples of tone words that convey seriousness:

Example sentence: The doctor’s tone was urgent when she informed me of my test results.

What are some tone words commonly used in poetry?

Poetry often uses tone words to convey emotions and moods. Here are some tone words commonly used in poetry:

Example sentence: The poet’s wistful tone conveyed a sense of longing for a simpler time.

What are some examples of sad tone words?

Sad tone words convey a sense of sorrow, grief, or melancholy. Here are some examples of sad tone words:

Example sentence: The widow’s tone was somber as she spoke about her late husband.

What are some neutral-tone words?

Neutral tone words convey a lack of emotion or bias. Here are some examples of neutral tone words:

Example sentence: The journalist’s tone was objective as she reported the news.

Positive tone words convey a sense of happiness, satisfaction, or joy. Here are some examples of positive tone words:

Example sentence: The bride looked radiant on her wedding day.

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Tone refers to the author's attitude towards the subject or character in a piece of writing. Some common types of tones in writing include:

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What Are Some Tone Words?

Emojis are one modern way of visually expressing tone words | Ink Drop - Shutterstock License

An author uses tone words to project or insert their attitude and opinion into their writing. It’s the choice of grammar and how they put words and phrases together. Also, it’s the level of formality that is chosen.

In fiction, the narrator’s attitude is expressed using tone words. It gives shape to the story and provides the voice for characters.

In non-fiction, tone words are used to express the writer’s attitude toward his subject. It indicates to the reader how they should read the text — funny, serious, angry, friendly, etc.

What Is a Tone Word?

Tone words are a specific set of adjectives that make the author’s opinion on the subject matter known. They can generally be divided into three categories: positive, negative, or neutral connotation. But inside those categories, tone words can be happy, sarcastic, funny, or any other adjective you can think of.

Teacher: You made an A on the test.

Student: “That’s incredible news!”

–  The tone of the student is positive.

Teacher: You made a B on the test.

Student: “Of course. I knew it.”

–  The student’s tone is sarcastic.

“You made a pathetic C on the test.”

–  The tone is negative in this example.

“The student looked world-weary while taking the exam.”

–  The tone is not positive or negative. It’s neutral.

Positive Tone

If you’re writing for a company use a positive tone. It’s clearer. The phrasing is simpler and it uses fewer words.

By positioning your messages positively, you encourage others to see the vision that the company is hoping to portray.

A positive tone is another way to build organic authority.

Negative Tone

A negative tone shouldn’t be used when representing a business. It makes your audience feel defensive.

Who wants to conduct business with someone who is not pleasant?

A negative tone has a useful place in creative writing and when expressing your opinion.

Don’t let the word “negative” make you feel as if you shouldn’t use it.

Think of how different the character of Mister Wilson in Dennis the Menace or Archie Bunker in All in the Family would have been without the use of negative tone words.

Neutral Tone

Remember the teacher in Ferris Bueller ? This is how I imagine neutral tone sounds. It’s just the facts and not emotions.

A neutral tone leaves the reader to interpret how the author feels on the subject.

Never leave your tone up for interpretation unless this is an editorial choice.

List of Tone Words

This is the most well-organized and comprehensive list of tone words. After doing extensive research, I’ve broken them into positive, negative, and neutral categories. I have also included synonyms for easy reference.

Is Positive a Tone?

An author can absolutely use a positive tone. Here is a list of positive tone words:

• Admiring | approving |respectful | praising
• Amused | entertained | pleased
• Animated | lively | spirited |impassioned | vibrant
• Apologetic | repentant | remorseful | acknowledging failure
• Appreciative | grateful | thankful | enthusiastic
• Ardent | enthusiastic | passionate
• Assertive | self-confident | strong-willed | authoritative | insistent
• Awestruck | amazed | reverential
• Benevolent | sympathetic | tolerant | generous | caring | well-meaning
• Candid | truthful | straightforward | honest | unreserved
• Celebratory | praising | glorify | honor
• Chatty | informal | lively | conversational | familiar
• Colloquial | familiar | informal| casual
• Comic | humorous | witty | entertaining | diverting
• Compassionate | sympathetic |empathetic | warmhearted | tolerant | kind
• Compliant |agree|acquiescent | flexible | submissive
• Conciliatory | placate | pacify |appeasing
• Curious | inquisitive | questioning
• Dignified | serious | respectful | formal | proper
• Diplomatic |tactful | subtle | sensitive | thoughtful
• Earnest | serious
• Empathetic | understanding | kind | sensitive
• Encouraging | optimistic | supportive
• Enthusiastic | excited | energetic
• Excited | stirred
• Forceful | powerful | energetic | confident | assertive
• Formal | respectful | stilted | factual
• Gentle | kind | considerate | mild | soft
• Humbled | referential | modest
• Humorous | amusing | entertaining | playful
• Impassioned | ardent
• Inspirational | encouraging | reassuring
• Intense | earnest | passionate | concentrated | deeply felt
• Intimate | familiar | informal | confidential | confessional
• Joyful | positive | optimistic | cheerful | elated
• Laudatory | praising | recommending
• Light-Hearted | carefree | relaxed | chatty | humorous
• Loving | affectionate
• Nostalgic | wistful | romantic
• Objective | fair
• Optimistic | hopeful | cheerful
• Persuasive | convincing | eloquent | influential | plausible
• Philosophical | theoretical | analytical | rational | logical
• Playful | humorous | jesting
• Pragmatic | realistic | sensible
• Reverent | esteem
• Righteous | guiltless | pious | god-fearing
• Sincere | honest | truthful | earnest
• Sympathetic | compassionate | understanding of how someone feels
• Thoughtful | reflective | serious | absorbed
• Tolerant | open-minded | charitable | patient | sympathetic | lenient
• Virtuous | lawful | righteous | moral | upstanding
• Whimsical | quaint | playful | mischievous | offbeat
• Witty | clever | quick-witted | entertaining
• Wonder | awe-struck | admiring | fascinating

Negative Tone Words

• Absurd | illogical | ridiculous | silly | implausible | foolish
• Accusatory | complaining
• Acerbic | sharp | forthright | biting | hurtful | abrasive | severe
• Aggressive | hostile | determined | forceful | argumentative
• Aggrieved | indignant | annoyed | offended | disgruntled
• Angry | incensed | enraged | threatening | menacing
• Apathetic | indifferent | unemotional
• Arrogant | pompous | disdainful | overbearing | condescending | vain | scoffing
• Belligerent | hostile | aggressive | combatant
• Bitter | angry | acrimonious | antagonistic | spiteful | nasty
• Bleak | desolate | lifeless
• Callous | unfeeling | uncaring | indifferent | ruthless
• Caustic | corrosive | critical
• Condescending | patronizing
• Concerned | worried | anxious | apprehensive
• Contemptuous | scornful | insolent | mocking
• Critical | disapproving | scathing | criticizing
• Cruel | unkind | spiteful | severe
• Cynical | scornful | mocking | sneering
• Defensive | shielding | guarding | watchful
• Defiant | obstinate | argumentative | defiant | contentious
• Demeaning | disrespectful | undignified
• Depressing | sad | melancholic | discouraging | pessimistic
• Derisive | snide | sarcastic | mocking | dismissive | scornful
• Disapproving | displeased | critical | condemnatory
• Disconsolate | downcast | sorrowful
• Disheartening | discouraging | demoralizing | undermining | depressing
• Disparaging | dismissive | critical | scornful
• Disappointed | discouraged
• Dismal | dull | barren
• Dispassionate | impartial | indifferent | unsentimental | cold | unsympathetic
• Distressing | heart-breaking | sad | troubling
• Egotistical | self-absorbed | selfish | conceited | boastful
• Enigmatic | puzzling | mysterious
• Evasive | ambiguous | cryptic | unclear
• Facetious | inappropriate | flippant
• Farcical | ludicrous | absurd | mocking
• Flippant | superficial | glib | shallow | thoughtless | frivolous
• Frustrated | annoyed | discouraged
• Ghoulish | revolting | loathsome
• Grimserious | gloomy | depressing| macabre
• Gullible | naïve | innocent | ignorant
• Hard | unfeeling | hardhearted | unyielding
• Haughty | arrogant | condescending
• Hostile | malevolent | bellicose
• Hypercritical | hair-splitting | nitpicking
• Imploring | pleading | begging
• Impressionable | trusting | child-like
• Inane | silly | foolish | stupid | nonsensical
• Incensed | enraged
• Incredulous | disbelieving | unconvinced | questioning | suspicious
• Indignant | annoyed | angry | dissatisfied
• Inflamed | irate | provoked
• Irreverent | pert | saucy
• Jaded | bored
• Judgmental | critical | finding fault | disparaging
• Macabre | gruesome | horrifying | frightening
• Malicious | ill-willed | spiteful
• Mean-Spirited | inconsiderate | unsympathetic
• Menacing | threatening | ominous
• Mocking | scornful | ridiculing
• Morbid | gruesome | macabre
• Morose | sullen | gloomy
• Mourning | grieving | lamenting | woeful
• Naïve | innocent | unsophisticated | immature
• Narcissistic | self-admiring | selfish | boastful | self-pitying
• Nasty | unpleasant | unkind | disagreeable | abusive
• Negative | unhappy | pessimistic
• Obsequious | submissive | fawning | groveling
• Outraged | furious
• Outspoken | frank | candid
• Pathetic | sympathy | tenderness
• Patronizing | condescending | scornful | pompous
• Pensive | reflective | introspective | philosophical | contemplative
• Pessimistic | negative | gloomy | defeated
• Pretentious | affected | artificial | grandiose | rhetorical | flashy
• Resentful | aggrieved | offended | displeased | bitter
• Sarcastic | scornful | mocking | ridiculing
• Scathing | critical | stinging | unsparing |harsh
• Scornful | scathing | dismissive
• Sensationalistic | provocative | inaccurate | distasteful
• Skeptical | disbelieving | unconvinced | doubting
• Sinister | cunning | portentous
• Solemn | serious
• Subjective | prejudiced | biased
• Submissive | compliant | passive | accommodating | obedient
• Sulking | bad-tempered | grumpy | resentful | sullen
• Tragic | disastrous | calamitous
• Vindictive | vengeful | spiteful | bitter | unforgiving
• Worried | anxious | stressed | fearful
• Wretched | miserable | despairing | sorrowful | distressed

Neutral Tone Words

• Ambivalent | uncertain | undecided
• Anxious | uncertain | apprehensive
• Bizarre | fantastic | grotesque
• Cautionary | reminding
• Complex | complicated
• Composed | calm | detached
• Confident | certain | assured
• Confused | bewildered | vague
• Courageous | audacious | fearless
• Desirable | comfortable | alluring
• Detached | aloof | objective | unfeeling | distant
• Direct | straightforward | honest
• Docile | compliant | submissive | deferential | accommodating
• Exotic | strange | intriguing
• Exquisite | pleasing | delicate
• Frank | honest | direct | plain | matter-of-fact
• Impartial | unbiased | neutral | objective
• Informative | instructive | factual | educational
• Ironic | snarky |sarcastic
• Passionate | intense | amorous
• Picturesque | detailed | unusual
• Provocative | provoking | stimulating
• Regretful | apologetic | remorseful
• Resigned | accepting | unhappy
• Restrained | controlled | quiet | unemotional
• Satiric | mocking | bantering
• Sentimental | tender | emotional
• Shocked | astonished | surprised
• Sincere | truthful | straightforward
• Sublime | lofty | magnificent
• Taciturn | reserved | subdued
• Unassuming | modest | self-effacing | restrained
• Unbelievable | amazing | dubious
• Uneasyworried | uncomfortable | edgy | nervous
• Urgent | insistent
• Wondrous | astonishment | amazement
• World-Weary | bored | cynical | tired

How to Use Tone Word Synonyms

Synonyms are key to helping with variations in your writing. INK is a web content optimization editor that recognizes when there are consecutive sentences that sound too similar. Using synonyms is paramount in quality writing.

For example:

She was amused with her image in the mirror.

Amused is a positive tone word.

You could also write:

She was pleased with her image in the mirror.

Amused is a stronger tone word than pleased. It conveys a more emphatic emotion to the reader. However, if you’ve used amused already in the paragraph, pleased offers a nice alternative

Here are some other tips for great content writing .

What Are Examples of Tones?

Examining writing styles in different mediums is a great way to explore just how impactful tone is in writing.

A short story should have a completely different tone than an opinion piece in the New York Times. Read a featured article in People Magazine and then compare it to an article in Newsweek .

Poetry is overflowing with tone words that paint such a vivid picture that the reader can see in their mind’s eye what the author wants you to.

Try duplicating these different styles in your writing. It will help improve your tone word usage.

I felt so depressed reading the obituary.

The word depressed is a negative tone word.

Her heart was filled with joy as she saw her baby for the first time.

The word joy is a positive tone word.

I’m resigned to the idea.

Resigned is a neutral tone word.

Tone Words in Poetry

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe

“It was A LOW, DULL, QUICK SOUND – MUCH SUCH A SOUND AS A WATCH MAKES WHEN ENVELOPED IN COTTON. I gasped for breath, and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly, more vehemently but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why WOULD they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men, but the noise steadily increased. O God! What COULD I do?”

This is one of the most famous examples in literature of tone. You feel the character’s anxiety and fear.

Tone Words in a Novel

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

“There was a steaming mist in all the hollows, and it had roamed in its forlornness up the hill, like an evil spirit, seeking rest and finding none. A clammy and intensely cold mist, it made its slow way through the air in ripples that visibly followed and overspread one another, as the waves of an unwholesome sea might do. It was dense enough to shut out everything from the light of the coach-lamps but these its own workings, and a few yards of road; and the reek of the labouring horses steamed into it, as if they had made it all.”

The tone is felt as mysterious, secretive, ominous, or evil through the use of words like clammy, followed, and unwholesome .

Tone Examples in a News Article

This article is from CNN.com style discussing the SR-71 spy plane.

The Lockheed SR-71, designed in secrecy in the late 1950s, was able to cruise near the edge of space and out fly a missile. To this day, it holds the records for the highest altitude in horizontal flight and the fastest speed for a non-rocket powered aircraft. It was part of a family of spy planes built to venture into enemy territory, without being shot down or even detected, in a time before satellites and drones. The black paint job, designed to dissipate heat, earned it the nickname Blackbird, and paired with the sleek lines of the long fuselage, made the plane look unlike anything that had come before — a design that hasn’t lost any of its brilliance.

The tone is informative, yet you still feel the author’s sense of reverence for this plane when he calls the design brilliant .

Tone Words in an Informative News Article

Now, compare to a newspaper article found on Chron.com

The Big Oil majors aim to unload about $27 billion in oil and gas assets worldwide in order to cut costs and focus spending on their core projects. U.S. giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron for instance are concentrating their oil and gas spending on West Texas’ booming Permian Basin, as well as Guyana for Exxon Mobil and Kazakhstan for Chevron, according to a new report from the Norwegian research firm Rystad Energy. The United Kingdom’s BP aims to sell some assets in the U.S., including in New Mexico’s gassy San Juan Basin, after spending $10.5 billion to buy the Texas shale assets of BHP. Houston’s ConocoPhillips, for instance, already wants to sell its newer position in the Louisiana Austin Chalk for less than $1 billion, although other Houston firms Marathon Oil and EOG Resources are still operating in the region.

The tone is neutral. One cannot gleam from the tone if the author is for or against oil companies selling their assets.

Tone of Voice Example in Speech

“And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.”

United States President John F. Kennedy, Jr. used presidential tone in his inauguration speech in 1961.

He wanted this line to be unifying and patriotic. His goal was to get US citizens to rally behind him.

It’s now one of the most famous quotes ever.

How Do I Find the Right Tone for My Work?

Whether or you are writing a formal article for your client or a whimsical creative piece, it’s critical to determine your tone of voice before you begin. In  formal writing , your tone should be authoritative and convey confidence. The reader should trust that you are providing them with the best information. In  creative writing,  your tone is what you choose it to be. Are you telling a sad or happy story? Is your story terrifying?

Whatever tone you choose, it should be communicated clearly and the reader shouldn’t have to guess.

1. Why Am I Writing This?

Let’s be clear. If you’re struggling to answer this question, take a deep breath and strongly examine your motivations.

Writing is time-consuming and writing without a purpose makes no sense. Your readers will pick up on this and not connect with your piece.

2. Who Am I Writing This For?

Know your target audience and who you’re trying to connect with. Your tone is critical that it matches what your reader is expecting.

3. What Should the Reader’s Take Away Be From This Article?

In the end, your tone of voice influences your reader’s opinion or understanding of the topic.

This is a huge responsibility, especially if you’re writing an editorial or opinion piece.

Ensure your tone is appropriate and on-point.

What Is the Difference Between Tone and Voice?

Voice is the author’s personality shining through in their writing. It’s the fingerprint that is left behind that is a tell-tale sign of who authored a piece. We all have a style of speech that is unique to us. For some, it might be the infliction they put on certain words. Others might use a local dialect and vocabulary. This is voice. It’s more permanent. Tone, on the other hand, is situational. It can change depending on your circumstances.

For example, if an author is crafting a short story about a particularly hard Chicago winter, they wouldn’t pepper the story with distinctly southern phrases.

Writing with a unanimous company voice is critical to the brand.

Is your company voice friendly and informative? Are you witty and add puns to your text?

Example of Voice

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Harper Lee’s  To Kill a Mockingbird  is an example of a character’s voice. Scout narrates the story. When she is young her voice sounds immature. As she grows, so does her vocabulary.

Scout also uses first-person to paint a scene that the reader can get lost in.

Example of Tone

The tone of  To Kill a Mockingbird  changes over the course of the novel as Scout’s voice changes.

It evolves from innocent to dark and knowing.

What Is the Difference Between Tone and Mood?

Tone and mood are often confused. Mood is what the reader feels as they read the author’s words. It’s the environment or atmosphere created by the author. The mood of a story can by haunting, joyous, thrilling, etc. Mood can change throughout the story as the plot develops, or it can stay consistent. Mood is how the reader interprets the author’s tone.

What Is the Difference Between Tone and Attitude?

There is not a lot of difference between tone and attitude. That’s why it is often confused. Attitude refers to the voice of the author and is more characteristic of the speaker’s own. The tone of the text conveys the writer’s attitude toward the subject but can be adapted to different contexts.

A great example of the difference between attitude and tone is represented in a letter composed by Martin Luther King Jr.

While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling our present activities “unwise and untimely.” Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all of the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would be engaged in little else in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.

Because Mr. King was in jail, his attitude was most likely one of frustration, anger, and exhaustion. However, the tone of his letter comes across as controlled and logical.

Knowing your tone of voice before you begin writing is critical to accurately convey the right message.

Use the list of positive, negative, and neutral tone words provided in this article to spice up your writing. Also, try using the synonyms to change up your word usage. Don’t forget to give INK a try to help with repetitive word usage.

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Alexander De Ridder

Co-Founder of INK, Alexander crafts magical tools for web marketing. He is a smart creative, a builder of amazing things. He loves to study “how” and “why” humans and AI make decisions.

Comments (4)

Very informative and helpful! One bit of editing is needed, however. In your second text excerpt example from A Tale of Two Cities, you analyse the tone by writing, The tone is felt as mysterious, secretive, ominous, or evil through the use of words like clammy, followed, and unwholesome. But those words do not appear in the excerpt. I suspect you had a different excerpt in there originally and forgot to update something when you made some changes.

Samuel, thank you for the words of encouragement and for your insightful comment. You’re absolutely right. Great eye! We’ve made this correction and appreciate you bringing it to our attention. Thanks again for stopping by!

I am regretful that I just came across this incredibly useful article. I will pay more attention to my tone when communicating in English. But I wanted to know if you have any tips for non native speakers to get familiar with the tone of words more quickly, as they are so many adjectives in English.

Thanks, Li, for the kind words. My best advice would be to read — a lot. Through practice and context, you will start to pick up tone. The more you read and are exposed to different texts with different tones, the easier it will be to discern it. Good luck! Thanks for reading our blog and stopping by!

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Vocal Variety: How to Use Tone, Pitch, and Pace for Impact

Vocal variety is an essential skill in public speaking . 

It covers the strategic use of tone, pitch, and pace to convey your message more powerfully and emotionally connect with your listeners. 

Tone refers to the emotional quality of your voice, pitch is the highness or lowness of your sound, and pace relates to the speed at which you speak. 

Together, these elements can transform a monotonous presentation, speech, or meeting into a captivating experience, evoking the right emotion in your audience and keeping your message memorable.

My blog will delve into the roles of tone, pitch, and pace, providing a foundation for understanding how they can be harnessed to make your communication more impactful.

Understanding tone

Tone in communication refers to the emotional character or attitude that is conveyed through the modulation of your voice. 

It plays a crucial role in interpreting the speaker’s intent and can significantly affect the listener’s understanding and response. 

A speaker’s tone can convey a range of emotions, from enthusiasm and compassion to indifference and hostility, often leaving a greater impact than the actual words spoken. 

The correct use of tone can enhance the effectiveness of communication by adding clarity, creating rapport, and evoking the desired response from the audience. 

Conversely, a tone that is inconsistent with the message can lead to confusion, misunderstanding, or even offense. 

Understanding and mastering tone is thus vital for anyone looking to communicate effectively, whether in personal conversations, professional settings, or public speaking.

How to adapt your tone for different contexts

The first step in modifying your tone is to consider the audience and the context. For a formal business meeting, a professional and respectful tone is suitable, whereas a casual tone may be more fitting for a friendly gathering.

Understanding the expectations and emotional state of your audience helps tailor your tone accordingly.

Align your tone with your message’s intent. To persuade, a confident and passionate tone is effective; for difficult news, a compassionate and calm tone is more appropriate. Your tone should reinforce your message, not contradict it.

Regularly exercising your vocal cords can improve your ability to modulate your tone. Practice varying your tone to convey different emotions or intentions, such as excitement, seriousness, or curiosity. This can be done through something as simple as reading aloud.

Paying attention to how your audience reacts to your tone can provide valuable feedback. If the response is not what you anticipated, be prepared to adjust your tone in real-time. This adaptability can improve your communication and garner better reactions from the audience.

Exercises to develop control over your tone

One effective exercise to develop control over your tone is mindful reading. Select a piece of text and read it aloud, experimenting with different tones for the same sentence. For example, read a sentence joyfully, then angrily, and then with a tone of curiosity. This practice helps you understand how subtle changes in tone can alter the message’s perceived meaning and emotion.

Another exercise involves replicating the tones associated with specific emotions. Listen to recordings of people expressing various emotions and try to mimic their tones accurately. 

You can also practice conveying a range of emotions using a single phrase, such as “I can’t believe this happened,” to express surprise, sadness, joy, or anger. This hones your ability to adjust your tone to match the intended emotion in your communications.

Engage in tone-shifting drills, where you transition smoothly from one tone to another within the same speech or conversation. Start a narrative in a cheerful tone, shift to a serious tone, and then perhaps to a questioning or doubtful tone. This exercise improves your flexibility and control, enabling you to adapt your tone dynamically according to the flow of your content or the audience’s reactions.

Record your voice while practicing these exercises and listen to the playback, critically analysing your tone. 

Identify areas where your tone may not align with the intended emotion or message. Over time, this self-analysis will increase your awareness of your tonal choices and help you make more conscious decisions about tone in your communications.

Finally, seeking feedback from others, such as a voice coach ,  can provide invaluable insights into how your tone is perceived. 

Perform your exercises in front of a trusted person and ask for honest feedback on your tone variation and appropriateness. This external perspective can highlight areas for improvement and confirm when your tone effectively conveys the desired message or emotion.

Understanding the role of pitch in conveying emotions

Pitch, the perceived frequency of your voice, can dramatically alter the emotional content of your words. 

High pitch levels often signify excitement, urgency, or anxiety, while a lower pitch might be associated with seriousness, calmness, or authority. 

When emotions are involved, subtle variations in pitch can convey a wide range of feelings and attitudes, providing listeners with cues to interpret the speaker’s intentions and emotional state. 

For instance, a sudden rise in pitch can indicate surprise or questioning, whereas a decrease can suggest disappointment or sadness. 

By being mindful of pitch and learning to adjust it appropriately, speakers can enhance their ability to express emotions authentically and connect more deeply with their audience. 

Effective pitch use adds nuance and richness to verbal communication, helps maintain listener engagement, and facilitates emotional resonance, making it a powerful tool in the speaker’s arsenal.

Strategies to adjust pitch for clarity and interest

Adjusting pitch for clarity and interest is a strategic aspect of effective communication, ensuring your message is understood and engaging. 

To maintain listener interest and ensure your speech is clear, vary your pitch throughout your presentation or conversation. 

Monotone speeches can lead to listener fatigue and disengagement, whereas varied pitch patterns can captivate and maintain audience attention. 

Start by identifying the key points in your message where a change in pitch could underscore important information or signal a shift in topic.

For instance, raising your pitch slightly can indicate a question or highlight a crucial point, while lowering it can convey certainty or a conclusion. 

Practicing with scales or musical exercises can enhance your control over pitch, allowing for more deliberate and effective variations. 

Additionally, employing pitch changes to differentiate between ideas or characters in a story can enhance clarity, making your narrative more dynamic and easier to follow. 

However, it’s essential to balance these adjustments to avoid sounding artificial or exaggerated. 

Integrating natural, context-appropriate pitch variations can significantly improve the impact and comprehensibility of your communication, making your messages more memorable and engaging for your audience.

Practical exercises to enhance pitch variation

One effective exercise is to practice speaking with a range of pitches by using a sentence and repeating it at different pitch levels—from low to high and back again. 

This helps you become more comfortable with varying your pitch and understanding its impact on conveying emotion and emphasis. 

Another exercise involves reading passages or singing songs in different pitches, which can improve your vocal range and flexibility. 

Mimicking the pitch variations of effective public speakers or actors from audio or video recordings can also offer insights into how pitch variation can be skillfully used to add dynamism to speech. 

Moreover, you can employ a ‘pitch ladder’ exercise, where you gradually increase and then decrease the pitch of your voice step by step, akin to climbing up and down a ladder. 

This not only aids in mastering control over your pitch variations but also in using them intentionally to enhance the expressiveness and clarity of your communication. Consistent practice of these exercises can significantly improve your ability to modulate your pitch effectively, making your words impactful.

Importance of pace in maintaining listener engagement

The pace at which you speak plays a pivotal role in maintaining listener engagement and ensuring the effective delivery of your message. 

A well-modulated pace helps to retain the audience’s attention and facilitates better comprehension. 

Speaking too quickly can overwhelm listeners, making it challenging for them to absorb and process the information, while speaking too slowly may lead to boredom or a loss of interest. 

By varying your speaking pace—speeding up to convey excitement or urgency and slowing down to emphasise important points or allow information to resonate—you can enhance the dynamic quality of your speech and keep the audience engaged. 

Additionally, a controlled pace can aid in building suspense or creating moments of reflection. 

Effective use of pauses, an integral part of pacing, can provide listeners with time to digest complex ideas, create anticipation, or highlight a transition in thought. 

Mastering the art of pacing, therefore, is essential for any speaker aiming to connect with their audience, convey their message clearly, and maintain interest and engagement throughout their speech.

Methods to vary pace effectively during a speech or presentation

One method is to deliberately slow down when discussing complex ideas or emphasising critical points, allowing the audience time to absorb the information. 

Conversely, speeding up during less critical or more familiar sections can convey enthusiasm and maintain energy. 

Incorporating pauses is another powerful technique; a well-timed pause can create emphasis, signal a transition, or give the audience a moment to reflect on what has been said.

Practicing your speech with different pace variations can help you identify the most impactful ways to modulate your speed for different segments. 

Additionally, observing audience reactions during your speech can provide cues for when to adjust your pace. 

Being responsive to such feedback lets you modulate your delivery for maximum engagement. 

Practice routines to gain better control over speaking pace

Developing better control over speaking pace can be achieved through dedicated practice routines that focus on modulation and timing. 

One effective routine involves practicing speeches or passages at varying speeds, starting slowly to ensure clarity and gradually increasing the pace while maintaining articulation. 

Recording these practice sessions and listening back can provide valuable insights into how pace affects comprehension and engagement. 

Another routine is to practice with a metronome or pacing app, which can help develop a consistent rhythm and make you more conscious of your natural pacing tendencies. 

Additionally, engaging in exercises that require rapid shifts in pace, such as switching between fast-paced news delivery and a slow, dramatic reading, can enhance your ability to adapt your speaking rate on the fly. 

Practicing impromptu speaking on random topics can also improve your pace control, as it forces you to think and modulate your speed in real time. 

By incorporating these routines into regular practice, you can gain greater mastery over your speaking pace, enabling more dynamic and effective communication.

Combining tone, pitch, and pace for powerful communication

Combining tone, pitch, and pace effectively is essential for powerful communication, as it allows you to convey your message with nuance and impact. 

Tone adds emotional colour and helps convey your attitude or feelings about the subject matter, while pitch variation can emphasise important points and inject energy or seriousness into your speech. 

The speed at which you speak is crucial in maintaining audience engagement and ensuring clarity. 

By mastering the interplay of these elements, you can create a more dynamic and compelling presentation that captivates and persuades your audience. 

For instance, using a warm and enthusiastic tone, varying your pitch to highlight key ideas, and adjusting your pace to build excitement or allow for reflection can make your communication more effective and memorable. 

Developing this synergy requires practice and awareness, but when achieved, it significantly enhances your ability to connect with and influence your listeners, making your communication truly powerful.

Tips to maintain naturalness while varying vocal elements

Maintaining naturalness while varying vocal elements is key to ensuring your communication is engaging and authentic. 

To achieve this balance, focus on making gradual changes rather than abrupt shifts in tone, pitch, and pace, which can seem forced or artificial. 

Practice incorporating these variations in your everyday conversations to get accustomed to adjusting them fluidly and contextually. 

Being mindful of your audience and the setting can also guide you in choosing the right degree of variation, ensuring that your adjustments feel appropriate and genuine. 

Listening to skilled communicators can provide valuable insights into integrating these elements naturally. 

Additionally, staying connected to your message and speaking with genuine interest and conviction can help maintain a sense of sincerity and spontaneity. 

Remember, the goal is to enhance your message with vocal variety, not to distract from it.

By focusing on authenticity and practicing regularly, you can learn to vary your vocal elements effectively while keeping your communication natural and relatable.

Wrapping up

Regular practice is the cornerstone of mastering any skill, and this is particularly true when it comes to effectively varying vocal elements for impactful communication. 

Consistent practice embeds these skills into your muscle memory and builds confidence in your ability to employ them effectively across different speaking contexts. 

Setting aside dedicated time for vocal exercises, experimenting with different speaking styles, and actively seeking opportunities to speak in front of an audience can accelerate your growth. 

Moreover, recording your practice sessions and seeking constructive feedback can provide valuable insights and motivation for continual improvement. 

Remember, every great speaker was once a beginner, and their excellence was honed through persistent and mindful practice. 

So, embrace the journey of development with patience and perseverance, and you will see your communication skills flourish, enabling you to connect with and inspire your audience more profoundly.

And it’s always worth supplementing your self-help practices with the support of an experienced public speaking coach who can provide you with more tailored guidance or enrol in an online public speaking short course .

Good luck! And if you want to hear more from me, you can find me on:

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Tone-of-voice words.

July 17, 2016 · Updated Aug. 1, 2023 2023-08-01

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This list of 37 website-specific tone words can be used in two different phases of the content development process:

• Planning : before the content has been written
• Evaluation : to understand how your users interpret the tone of your content

In This Article:

List of tone words, 1. pick your tone profile.

Start first by deciding at a high level what kind of tone will work best for your site as a whole or for the piece of content you’re preparing to write. Assess where you aim to be within the four dimensions of tone of voice :

• Funny vs. serious
• Formal vs. casual
• Respectful vs. irreverent
• Enthusiastic vs. matter-of-fact

2. Choose Your Tone Words

Once you’ve defined your target tone profile, refine your tone strategy by selecting from the list of tone words at the end of this article.. Create a do list with the words that you want your tone to fit, and also a don’t list with the words that your tone should not match.

For example, let’s say we’re preparing to write copy for a hospital’s Patients & Visitors site section. We might decide on the following tone profile.

• Serious: we shouldn’t try to be funny while speaking to patients
• Formal: the hospital has a traditional and prestigious brand personality
• Respectful: it should not look like we’re making light of a serious situation for patients
• Neither enthusiastic nor matter-of-fact: we should convey some sense of empathy, but should not appear overly emotional

We might then select several target tone words, for example:

• Sympathetic but not cheerful
• Professional but also caring

Remember that you can always add your own tone words if our list doesn’t have any that fit your intentions. Just remember that tone words should describe how your organization feels about the topic.

• Collect several samples of your content. Ideally, these should represent the range of content types in your product. (For example, homepage, listing page, service description, customer support, etc.) 
• Select tone words that you feel describe the tone of voice for each content sample. You can do it yourself or ask a few colleagues to go through this exercise.
• Give the samples to actual users, and ask them to decide which tone words best describe each of your content pieces -- this method is a modified  product-reaction test .

Don't skip step 3! Remember that you are not your users : your interpretation of tone will almost certainly be different from your users’ interpretation.

Your primary goal is to consider if the tone actually conveyed by your content matches your brand personality and the tone you want to convey. If it doesn’t, modify the content to move it closer to your goal, and test again.

• Authoritative
• Conservative
• Conversational
• Enthusiastic
• Informative
• Matter-of-fact
• Professional
• Provocative
• Sympathetic
• Trustworthy
• Unapologetic

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Why the Tone of Your Voice Makes Such a Difference

Shifting your tone doesn't mean being phony; it's about being grounded..

Posted September 14, 2021 | Reviewed by Chloe Williams

• People are more sensitive to tone than to the explicit content of spoken or written language, and a sharp tone can hurt others.
• Shifting one's tone doesn’t mean becoming sugary or phony. In fact, paying attention to tone can make people stronger communicators.
• When one is already in a critical frame of mind, taking a break or dealing with feelings directly can help people avoid a harsh tone.

Feeling a little sour?

The Practice:

The tone of your voice is important.

Tone matters.

I remember times I felt frazzled or aggravated and then said something with an edge to it that just wasn't necessary or useful. Sometimes it was the words themselves: such as absolutes like "never" or always," or over-the-top phrases like "you're such a flake" or "that was stupid." More often, it was the intonation in my voice, a harsh vibe or look, interrupting, or a certain intensity in my body. However, I did it, and the people on the receiving end usually looked like they'd just sucked a lemon. This is what I mean by tart tone.

People are more sensitive to tone than to the explicit content of spoken or written language. To paraphrase the poet Maya Angelou, people will forget what you said, but they'll remember how you made them feel. And we are particularly reactive to negative tones due to the negativity bias in the brain (written about in previous posts).

Consequently, a tart tone hurts others. This is bad enough, but it also often triggers others to react in ways that harm you and others.

On the other hand, paying attention to tone puts you more in touch with yourself because you have to be aware of what's building inside—promoting mindfulness and builds up its neural substrates. Containing negative tones prompts you to open to and deal with any underlying stress , hurt, anger . It reduces the chance that the other person will avoid dealing with what you say by shifting attention to how you say it. Cleaning up your style of expression puts you in a stronger position to ask people to do the same or act better toward you in other ways.

As a proverb says, "Getting angry with others is like throwing hot coals with bare hands: both people get burned." Much the same could be said about throwing tart tone.

Shifting your tone doesn't mean becoming sugary, saccharine, or phony. Nor does it mean walking on eggshells, becoming a doormat, or muzzling yourself. Actually, when people shift away from being snippy, curt, snarky, derisive, or contentious, they usually become stronger communicators. They're now more grounded, more dignified when they bring up something. They haven't squandered interpersonal capital on the short-term gratifications of harsh tone.

Sometimes people are tart with each other in playful ways, and that's OK. But keep watching to see how it's landing on the other person.

Be mindful of what's called " priming ": feeling already mistreated, annoyed, irritated—or already in a critical frame of mind. Little things can land on this priming like a match on a pile of firecrackers, setting them off. Maybe simply take a break (e.g., bathroom, meal, shower, run, gardening, TV) to clear away some or all of the priming. And/or try to deal with hurt, anger, or stress in a straightforward way (if possible), rather than blowing off steam with your tone.

Then, if you do, in fact, get triggered, notice what comes up to say. If it's critical, acerbic, cutting , etc., then slow down, say nothing, or say something truly useful. Watch those eye rolls or the sharp sigh that means "Duh-oh, that was kind of dumb" (my wife has called me on both of these). Give a little thought to your choice of words: Could there be a way to say what you want to say without pouring gasoline on the fire? Look for words that are accurate, constructive, self-respecting, and get to the heart of the matter. Be especially careful with an email; once you push the "send" button, there is no getting it back, and the receiver can read your message over and over again, plus share it with others.

If you do slip, clean it up as soon as possible—which could be a minute after you say it. Sometimes it works to explain—not justify or defend—the underlying reasons for your tart tone (e.g., you're fried and hungry, and it's been a tough day) to put it in context. Take responsibility for your tone and its impacts, and recommit to a clearer, cleaner, more direct way of expressing yourself.

At the end of an interaction, you may not get the result you want from the other person—but you can get the result of self-respect and feeling that you did the best you could.

Facebook image: Mangostar/Shutterstock

LinkedIn image: Josep Suria/Shutterstock

Rick Hanson, Ph.D. , is a senior fellow of the Greater Good Center at UC Berkeley.

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Kansas City Chiefs player faces backlash for graduation speech criticizing working women, calling Pride a 'deadly sin'

Harrison Butker delivered the commencement address at Benedictine College.

The kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs is facing backlash after delivering a commencement address that touched on everything from Pride Month to women's roles in the home, abortion and birth control.

"It is safe to say that over the years, I have gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind," Harrison Butker said at the start of his address, which he delivered May 11 at Benedictine College, a Catholic liberal arts college in Atchison, Kansas.

Butker, who has sparked controversy in the past for his public stances on religion, LGBTQ topics and abortion, criticized President Joe Biden for his stance as a Catholic who supports abortion rights before turning to speak directly to the women in the graduating class, saying they had been told "the most diabolical lies."

"Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world," Butker, 28, said. "I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and a mother."

Butker and his wife share two young children. Isabelle Butker has spoken publicly about converting to Catholicism before the couple's 2018 marriage.

"I'm on this stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation," Butker continued. "I am beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class, back in middle school, would convert to the faith, become my wife and embrace one of the most important titles of all, homemaker."

Butker added, "I've seen firsthand how much happier someone can be when they disregard the outside noise and move closer and closer to God's will for life. Isabelle's dream of having a career might not have come true, but if you ask her today if she has any regrets on her decision, she would laugh out loud without hesitation and say no."

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The football player also said men should step up for families, saying, "This absence of men in the home is what plays a large role in the violence we see all around the nation."

"Be unapologetic in your masculinity, fighting against the culture of the emasculation of men," he said, adding that men "set the tone of the culture."

"Do hard things," he added. "Never settle for what is easy."

Elsewhere in his 20-minute speech, Butker described Pride month, which typically falls in June and is dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, as a "deadly sin."

He also referenced popstar Taylor Swift , who is dating his teammate Travis Kelce , by citing some of the lyrics from her song "Bejeweled."

"Tragically, so many priests revolve much of their happiness from the adulation they receive from their parishioners," he said. "And in searching for this, they let their guard down and become overly familiar. This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time, because as my teammate's girlfriend says, familiarity breeds contempt."

Butker declined to comment.

Justice Horn, a former Kansas City commissioner, spoke out in the wake of Butker's comments over the weekend, writing on X , "Harrison Butker doesn't represent Kansas City nor has he ever. Kansas City has always been a place that welcomes, affirms, and embraces our LGBTQ+ community members."

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Outsports, a media platform that covers the LGBTQ+ community, commented on the fact that Butker included a reference to Swift in his speech, writing on X , "One of the worst parts of this NFL player's awful speech is that he quoted a Taylor Swift song before telling women they should be homemakers and serve their man's career."

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Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ organization, also responded to Butker's speech, calling it "inaccurate, ill-informed, and woefully out of step with Americans about Pride, LGBTQ people and women."

"Those with expansive platforms, especially athletes, should use their voices to uplift and expand understanding and acceptance in the world," Ellis said in a statement. "Instead, Butker's remarks undermine experiences not of his own and reveal him to be one who goes against his own team’s commitment to the Kansas City community, and the NFL's standards for respect, inclusion, and diversity across the League.”

Benedictine College, which has around 2,100 undergraduate students, has disabled comments on a YouTube video of Butker's speech.

The college did not respond to ABC News' request for comment on Butker's commencement address.

The NFL told ABC News the organization is "steadfast" in its "commitment to inclusion."

“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization," Jonathan Beane, the league's chief diversity and inclusion officer, told ABC News in a statement. "The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”

The Kansas City Chiefs did not reply to ABC News' request for comment.

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