Negative tones in speech are qualities of expression that reveal unhappy attitudes toward the subject—or even the listener. These vocal qualities may include pitch, volume, rhythm, and more, but in a sad or angry speaker, they add up to share that emotion.

When we read or hear words with a negative tone, they evoke a sense of unease, discomfort, or even hostility. These words can express disappointment, disapproval, or pessimism.

What are Negative Tone Words? Negative tone words includes anything that communicates a negative or pessimistic meaning. If you want your reader to understand intuitively that something is wrong, choose descriptive words with a negative tone to help accomplish this.

Negative tone words are used to darken up a mood, setting, or description within a story. Using these words can help you introduce your readers to a character’s energy without flat-out saying that the character is a villain.

Containing negative tone prompts you to open to and deal with any underlying stress, hurt, or anger. It reduces the chance that the other person will avoid dealing with what you say by shifting attention to how you say it.