Emotions are intricate, nuanced things that are sometimes hard to describe. And if you can’t put your feelings into words, you’re likely to feel unheard or misunderstood by those around you.
Similarly, if you’re a writer trying to describe the emotions of your characters, finding words that are on-point without sounding cliché can feel like a challenge.
While it might feel like strong emotions couldn’t possibly be conveyed in mere words, the English language contains no shortage of terms that come pretty darn close, at the least. For this post, we’ve rounded up a list of powerful words to describe how you (or your characters) are feeling.
Types of Emotions
In the 1970s, Dr. Paul Ekman identified 6 basic emotions—happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, and anger—that he suggested were experienced universally among humans.
Ekman later expanded the list to contempt, defined as “the feeling of dislike for and superiority (usually morally) over another person, group of people, and/or their actions.” Although contempt is considered a standalone emotion, it is often accompanied by feelings of anger or disgust.
Then, in 1980, Dr. Robert Plutchik developed his “Wheel of Emotions.” It features 8 basic emotions can be combined to form different feelings, similar to how colors can be mixed to create other shades that are unique and vary in intensity.
Needless to say, there are a lot more than 6–8 ways to sum up how you’re feeling, but these basic emotions offer a starting point for describing and understanding how you or someone else feels.
150 Words for Emotions
We’ve broken down Ekman’s 7 basic emotions and come up with a list of words to describe each, so whether you’re a writer looking to coney emotion in your dialogue, or simply trying to put your own feelings into words, you’ll be able to articulate those sentiments with precision.
You can also download and print this list of words for emotions PDF.
Happiness
- blissful
- content
- glad
- gleeful
- hopeful
- peaceful
- relaxed
- satisfied
- alive
- amused
- amazed
- relieved
- proud
- grateful
- appreciated
- assured
- proud
- confident
- delighted
- ecstatic
- joyful
- determined
- optimistic
- cheerful
- thrilled
- exuberant
- enthusiastic
- excited
- energized
- jubilant
- uplifted
- elated
Sadness
- alienated
- anguished
- ashamed
- blue
- burdened
- dejected
- depressed
- defeated
- demoralized
- devastated
- disappointed
- discouraged
- disenchanted
- disheartened
- disillusioned
- distraught
- distressed
- drained
- empty
- exhausted
- hurt
- helpless
- hopeless
- inadequate
- lonely
- lost
- miserable
- mournful
- pitiful
- rejected
- resigned
- somber
- sorrowful
- sorry
- terrible
- unappreciated
- unloved
- unwanted
- worthless
Anger
- agitated
- annoyed
- bothered
- enraged
- exasperated
- frustrated
- fuming
- furious
- hateful
- hostile
- irritated
- mad
- offended
- outraged
- resentful
- seething
- spiteful
- upset
- vindictive
- vengeful
Disgust
- abhorred
- appalled
- betrayed
- cheated
- disgusted
- loathing
- repulsed
- revolted
- sickened
Fear
- afraid
- alarmed
- anxious
- apprehensive
- concerned
- defensive
- desperate
- fearful
- frantic
- frightened
- hesitant
- horrified
- insecure
- intimidated
- nervous
- overwhelmed
- panicked
- petrified
- reluctant
- shaken
- shy
- skeptical
- startled
- stressed
- suspicious
- tense
- terrified
- threatened
- timid
- uneasy
- vulnerable
- worried
Surprise / Confusion
- astonished
- awkward
- baffled
- bewildered
- distracted
- doubtful
- foggy
- gobsmacked
- hesitant
- lost
- perplexed
- puzzled
- shocked
- stunned
- surprised
- torn
- uncertain
- undecided
- unsure
Contempt
- condescending
- contemptuous
- disdainful
- scornful
- spi
How Do You Describe Feelings?
When it comes to describing emotions, it’s important to be as precise and accurate as possible. Feelings are complicated, and no two words (even ones that fall under the same category above) can really stand in for one another.
But while choosing the right words is important, if you’re describing emotions for a character (or even yourself), it is sometimes more effective to show rather than tell.
This means showing emotions with actions, imagery, and other devices rather than relying solely on labels.
Example of Telling: She was extremely nervous for her big presentation.
Example of Showing: As she approached the podium, she could feel her hands trembling and her heart thumping loudly in her ears.
Words That Describe Emotions and Feelings
If you’re a writer, having a list of words that describe emotions can prove quite helpful when it comes to turning feelings into prose.
But if you’re a reader, you may find it just as helpful to have words that describe tone, so you can evaluate an author’s word choice in their writing.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 27 Words to Describe Diction: Evaluating an Author’s Word Choice
- Tone: How to Give Your Writing Attitude (Plus 101 Words to Describe an Author’s Tone)
- Mood in Literature: Definition and Examples
- Negative Personality Adjectives: How to Describe Your Favorite Antagonists
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
