Emotions should play a big role in writing

An image with many blue balls with a sad smiley face, and one yellow ball with a happy smiley face, to go with the post about emotions in writing.

Emotions should always play a big role when writing. Of course, you can say that your character is sad or happy. But there are so many other words you can use to better convey the emotions your character is experiencing.

Emotions in Writing

Below are lists of words for the emotions ‘happy’, ‘sad’, ‘angry’, ‘scared’ and ‘confused’.

Emotion: Happy

Strong: ecstatic – elated – energized – enthusiastic – excited – exuberant – jubilant – loved – marvelous – terrific – thrilled – uplifted

Medium: admired – alive – amused – appreciated – assured – cheerful – confident – delighted – determined – encouraged – fulfilled – grateful – gratified – joyful – justified – optimistic – proud – relieved – resolved – respected – valued

Weak: content – flattered – fortunate – glad – good – hopeful – peaceful – pleased – relaxed – satisfied


Emotion: Sad

Strong: burdened – condemned – crushed – defeated – dejected – demoralized – depressed – deserted – devastated – discarded – distraught – drained – empty – exhausted – grievous – helpless – hopeless – hurt – miserable – mournful – pitiful – rejected – sorrowful – terrible – unloved – unwanted – worthless – wounded

Medium: abandoned – alienated – ashamed – degraded – deprived – despised – disappointed – discouraged – disheartened – disillusioned – dismal – distant – distressed – disturbed – drained – inadequate – isolated – lonely – neglected – resigned – slighted – unappreciated – upset – wasted

Weak: apathetic – bad – deflated – disenchanted – lost – sorry


Emotion: Angry

Strong: betrayed – enraged – exploited – fuming – furious – hateful – hostile – humiliated – incensed – mad – outraged – patronized – pissed off – rebellious – repulsed – seething – spiteful – strangled – throttled – used – vengeful – vindictive

Medium: aggravated – agitated – anguished – annoyed – cheated – coerced – controlled – deceived – disgusted – dominated – exasperated – frustrated – harassed – irritated – offended – peeved – provoked – resentful – ridiculed – smothered – stifled

Weak: dismayed – displeased – tolerant – uptight


Emotion: Scared

Strong: afraid – appalled – desperate – dread – fearful – frantic – horrified – intimidated – overwhelmed – panicky – petrified – shocked – terrified – tormented – vulnerable

Medium: alarmed – apprehensive – axed – defensive – guarded – insecure – shaken – skeptical – startled – stunned – suspicious – tense – threatened – uneasy

Weak: anxious – concerned – doubtful – impatient – nervous – perplexed – reluctant – shy – timid – unsure


Emotion: Confused

Strong: baffled – bewildered – constricted – directionless – flustered – stagnant – trapped

Medium: ambivalent – awkward – disorganized – doubt – foggy – hesitant – misunderstood – perplexed – puzzled – troubled

Weak: bothered – distracted – surprised – uncertain – uncomfortable – undecided – unsettled – unsure


So the next time you are writing and about to pen how unhappy or scared your character is feeling – step into his shoes before you express their feelings.

Image from Pixabay

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