ACT: Words to Capture Tone: Words to Capture Tone, List 3

On the ACT Reading Test, you will almost certainly encounter questions that ask about an author's tone — that is, the author's attitude toward their subject matter. Master our comprehensive collection of common words used to describe an author's tone, and you'll be well prepared to tackle these questions.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. didactic
    instructive, especially excessively
    Knowledge of bees and beekeeping is worked so naturally into the story that it never becomes didactic. New York Times (Jul 17, 2020)
  2. curious
    eager to investigate and learn or learn more
    Even for the observant and curious, the details are difficult to find. BBC (Nov 23, 2020)
  3. contemplative
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    The episode hit all the tones I wanted: intense, tragic, contemplative, and redemptive. Slate (Nov 25, 2020)
  4. defensive
    attempting to justify something or avoid criticism
    She tried to sound calm, rational—not defensive or combative. Strange the Dreamer
  5. defiant
    boldly resisting authority or an opposing force
    I thought I was going to be brave and defiant, but I just fell apart. Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho
  6. dejected
    affected or marked by low spirits
    To some, he sounded hopeful and determined, to others, dejected and pained. New York Times (Oct 21, 2019)
  7. arrogant
    having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance
    His voice was low, and he recognized the tone, superior and arrogant, as bragging. Son
  8. diplomatic
    marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people
    Unlike the general’s guarded and diplomatic manners—he didn’t correct me when I continued to call him “General Sahib”—Khala Jamila made no secret of how much she adored me. The Kite Runner
  9. dire
    fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
    The nurse who made the dire, detailed assessments insisted they were accurate, despite all evidence to the contrary. Los Angeles Times (Dec 9, 2020)
  10. astonished
    filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise
    The three of them formed an astonished trinity as they stared at Mr. Dacus with disbelief. The Great Santini
  11. averse
    strongly opposed
    The court is notoriously averse to change, including adopting new technology. Reuters (May 3, 2020)
  12. dismayed
    struck with fear, dread, or consternation
    He looks at it, astonished and dismayed, and then quickly pulls it inside his sleeve. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
  13. disparaging
    expressive of low opinion
    Critics called these women “suffragettes,” a word intended to be disparaging, but the women embraced the term as one of power and rebellion. Votes for Women!
Created on Mon Jun 09 14:59:26 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Jun 09 15:00:30 EDT 2025)

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