Writer’s List: Emotions
The best stories are, at their core, an emotional journey. The words we use to describe these emotions can be key to painting a vivid and varied picture of your characters’ internal lives. If you’re struggling to think of the right word to describe an emotion, feel free to use this list as a reference:
| Emotion | Keywords |
|---|---|
| happy | positive |
| contented | positive |
| overjoyed | positive |
| ecstatic | positive |
| cheerful | positive |
| peaceful | positive |
| delighted | positive |
| glad | positive |
| elated | positive |
| pleased | positive |
| upbeat | positive |
| merry | positive |
| excited | positive |
| eager | positive |
| confident | positive |
| sad | negative, sad |
| unhappy | negative, sad |
| depressed | negative, sad |
| down | negative, sad |
| somber | negative, sad |
| cheerless | negative, sad |
| blue | negative, sad |
| wistful | negative, sad |
| melancholy | negative, sad |
| heartbroken | negative, sad |
| mournful | negative, sad |
| morose | negative, sad |
| dispirited | negative, sad |
| dejected | negative, sad |
| crestfallen | negative, sad |
| despondent | negative, sad |
| disappointed | negative, sad |
| dismayed | negative, sad |
| distressed | negative, sad |
| distraught | negative, sad |
| embarrassed | negative, sorry |
| ashamed | negative, sorry |
| bashful | negative, sorry |
| contrite | negative, sorry |
| guilty | negative, sorry |
| regretful | negative, sorry |
| humiliated | negative, sorry |
| repentant | negative, sorry |
| sorry | negative, sorry |
| guilt-ridden | negative, sorry |
| shamefaced | negative, sorry |
| remorseful | negative, sorry |
| reluctant | cautious |
| hesitant | cautious |
| cowed | cautious |
| intimidated | cautious |
| awed | surprised |
| surprised | surprised |
| startled | surprised |
| dazed | surprised |
| amazed | surprised |
| taken aback | surprised |
| bewildered | surprised |
| confounded | surprised |
| stunned | surprised |
| stupefied | surprised |
| shocked | surprised |
| alarmed | surprised |
| numb | surprised |
| derailed | surprised |
| confused | surprised |
| puzzled | surprised |
| disturbed | surprised |
| conflicted | negative |
| angry | negative, angry |
| enraged | negative, angry |
| irate | negative, angry |
| resentful | negative, angry |
| bitter | negative, angry |
| offended | negative, angry |
| sullen | negative, angry |
| irritable | negative, angry |
| irritated | negative, angry |
| indignant | negative, angry |
| furious | negative, angry |
| annoyed | negative, angry |
| frustrated | negative, angry |
| aggravated | negative, angry |
| agitated | negative, angry |
| contempt | negative, angry |
| chagrined | negative, embarassed |
| afraid | negative, afraid |
| frightened | negative, afraid |
| petrified | negative, afraid |
| terrified | negative, afraid |
| fearful | negative, afraid |
| anxious | negative, afraid |
| aghast | negative, afraid |
| panicked | negative, afraid |
| hysterical | negative, afraid |
| flustered | negative, afraid |
| perturbed | negative, afraid |
| nervous | negative, afraid |
| calm | positive, calm |
| serene | positive, calm |
| placid | positive, calm |
| tranquil | positive, calm |
| soothed | positive, calm |
| relaxed | positive, calm |
| satisfied | positive, relieved |
| relieved | positive, relieved |
| reassured | positive, relieved |
| placated | positive, relieved |
| mollified | positive, relieved |
| soothed | positive, relieved |
| consoled | positive, relieved |
| curious | positive, curious |
| interested | positive, curious |
| attentive | positive, curious |
| amused | positive |
| adoring | positive |
| absorbed | curious |
| obsessed | curious |
| anguished | negative, pain |
| hurt | negative, pain |
| wounded | negative, pain |
| concerned | negative, afraid |
| defensive | negative |
| defeated | negative |
| despair | negative, sad |
| desperate | negative, overwhelmed |
| overwhelmed | negative, overwhelmed |
| devastated | negative, overwhelmed |
| determined | positive |
| disgusted | negative |
| doubt | negative |
| disillusioned | negative, surprise |
| envious | negative |
| jealous | negative |
| mad | negative, angry |
| grieving | negative, sad |
| hopeful | positive |
| impatient | negative, impatient |
| indifferent | negative |
| lustful | positive |
| nostalgic | positive |
| paranoid | negative, afraid |
| resigned | negative |
| lethargic | negative |
| insecure | negative, doubt |
| suspicious | negative, doubt |
| uncertain | negative, doubt |
| uneasy | negative, doubt |
| wary | negative, doubt |
| prideful | |
| sympathetic |
Do you have more emotions you’d like to share? Feel free to comment below!