Writer’s List: Emotions

Writer’s List: Emotions

June 15, 2018 Blog 0
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:

EmotionKeywords
happypositive
contentedpositive
overjoyedpositive
ecstaticpositive
cheerfulpositive
peacefulpositive
delightedpositive
gladpositive
elatedpositive
pleasedpositive
upbeatpositive
merrypositive
excitedpositive
eagerpositive
confidentpositive
sadnegative, sad
unhappynegative, sad
depressednegative, sad
downnegative, sad
sombernegative, sad
cheerlessnegative, sad
bluenegative, sad
wistfulnegative, sad
melancholynegative, sad
heartbrokennegative, sad
mournfulnegative, sad
morosenegative, sad
dispiritednegative, sad
dejectednegative, sad
crestfallennegative, sad
despondentnegative, sad
disappointednegative, sad
dismayednegative, sad
distressednegative, sad
distraughtnegative, sad
embarrassednegative, sorry
ashamednegative, sorry
bashfulnegative, sorry
contritenegative, sorry
guiltynegative, sorry
regretfulnegative, sorry
humiliatednegative, sorry
repentantnegative, sorry
sorrynegative, sorry
guilt-riddennegative, sorry
shamefacednegative, sorry
remorsefulnegative, sorry
reluctantcautious
hesitantcautious
cowedcautious
intimidatedcautious
awedsurprised
surprisedsurprised
startledsurprised
dazedsurprised
amazedsurprised
taken abacksurprised
bewilderedsurprised
confoundedsurprised
stunnedsurprised
stupefiedsurprised
shockedsurprised
alarmedsurprised
numbsurprised
derailedsurprised
confusedsurprised
puzzledsurprised
disturbedsurprised
conflictednegative
angrynegative, angry
enragednegative, angry
iratenegative, angry
resentfulnegative, angry
bitternegative, angry
offendednegative, angry
sullennegative, angry
irritablenegative, angry
irritatednegative, angry
indignantnegative, angry
furiousnegative, angry
annoyednegative, angry
frustratednegative, angry
aggravatednegative, angry
agitatednegative, angry
contemptnegative, angry
chagrinednegative, embarassed
afraidnegative, afraid
frightenednegative, afraid
petrifiednegative, afraid
terrifiednegative, afraid
fearfulnegative, afraid
anxiousnegative, afraid
aghastnegative, afraid
panickednegative, afraid
hystericalnegative, afraid
flusterednegative, afraid
perturbednegative, afraid
nervousnegative, afraid
calmpositive, calm
serenepositive, calm
placidpositive, calm
tranquilpositive, calm
soothedpositive, calm
relaxedpositive, calm
satisfiedpositive, relieved
relievedpositive, relieved
reassuredpositive, relieved
placatedpositive, relieved
mollifiedpositive, relieved
soothedpositive, relieved
consoledpositive, relieved
curiouspositive, curious
interestedpositive, curious
attentivepositive, curious
amusedpositive
adoringpositive
absorbedcurious
obsessedcurious
anguishednegative, pain
hurtnegative, pain
woundednegative, pain
concernednegative, afraid
defensivenegative
defeatednegative
despairnegative, sad
desperatenegative, overwhelmed
overwhelmednegative, overwhelmed
devastatednegative, overwhelmed
determinedpositive
disgustednegative
doubtnegative
disillusionednegative, surprise
enviousnegative
jealousnegative
madnegative, angry
grievingnegative, sad
hopefulpositive
impatientnegative, impatient
indifferentnegative
lustfulpositive
nostalgicpositive
paranoidnegative, afraid
resignednegative
lethargicnegative
insecurenegative, doubt
suspiciousnegative, doubt
uncertainnegative, doubt
uneasynegative, doubt
warynegative, doubt
prideful
sympathetic

Do you have more emotions you’d like to share? Feel free to comment below!

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