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In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions

Creative writers, this one's for you! We've collected 100 words to describe how people feel. Improve your EQ by learning them all.
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Full list of words from this list:

  1. affable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
    Here, it said, wearing a kid grin, was a very personable character, clean-cut, affable, a fellow any man might trust to shave him.In Cold Blood
  2. aggressive
    showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends
    But Bowser could appoint new and aggressive leaders in other city agencies, where Gray’s appointees have tended to be more cautious.Washington Post
  3. agitated
    troubled emotionally and usually deeply
    The bald guy looked extremely nervous and agitated.Hoot
  4. alienated
    socially disoriented
    The more vigilant Allen was, the more resentful and alienated Nicholas became, and the worse things got.Class Matters
  5. amazed
    filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise
    White was amazed when around 500 people showed up.Washington Times (Nov 9, 2014)
  6. amiable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
    Patrick was a bright, amiable, undaunted fellow with whom we got along very well.Long Walk to Freedom
  7. amused
    pleasantly occupied
    "I can tell you, he's keeping his doctors amused."US News (Nov 6, 2014)
  8. anxious
    causing or fraught with or showing nervousness
    When rumors have circulated that officers were about to clear the site, Chan has sought to calm anxious protesters.Los Angeles Times (Nov 12, 2014)
  9. apathetic
    marked by a lack of interest
    “And some people are able to inspire otherwise apathetic young people to vote.”Forbes (Oct 21, 2014)
  10. ashamed
    feeling guilt or embarrassment or remorse
    Then, ashamed and embarrassed, he disappeared under a duvet and grieved.BBC (Nov 4, 2014)
  11. astonished
    filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise
    "Oh my God," he sputters, clearly astonished by the claim.BBC (Oct 18, 2014)
  12. aversion
    a feeling of intense dislike
    One awareness patient, formerly a jazz aficionado, developed a bizarre aversion to the style after an awareness experience. Scientific American (Nov 11, 2014)
  13. avoidance
    the act of deliberately preventing or keeping away from
    Nebeker’s deliberate avoidance of facial detail keeps the focus on the images’ charged atmospheres rather than the characters involved.Seattle Times (Mar 13, 2013)
  14. bewildered
    extremely confused and uncertain what to do
    She seemed dazed, bewildered by this sudden news about Baker.Rebecca
  15. bored
    uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence
    Brother Jim usually got bored and asked to be excused, but I always stayed, fascinated by their tales.October Sky
  16. buoyant
    characterized by liveliness and lightheartedness
    He flew about his tasks, buoyant with triumph and overflowing with energy.The Golden Goblet
  17. cantankerous
    having a difficult and contrary disposition
    “He was a suspicious, cantankerous, bitter, angry man.”New York Times (Oct 31, 2015)
  18. confident
    having or marked by assurance
    She knew where I was confident and where I was less sure, and she believed in me.Courage to Soar
  19. confused
    unable to think with clarity or act intelligently
    It took a second for this to register; her face was confused at first, and then the realization of what Moss meant grew, lighting up her eyes, her mouth slowly dropping open.Anger Is a Gift
  20. courageous
    able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
    "To share in this way is courageous, powerful and generous," Dunham tweeted at the time, adding a link to Dylan Farrow's letter.Seattle Times (Nov 4, 2014)
  21. crestfallen
    brought low in spirit
    The knight's moon face looked crestfallen, the tips of his great walrus mustache twitching with disappointment.A Clash of Kings
  22. critical
    marked by a tendency to find and call attention to flaws
    Try not to be too critical when assessing students' first drafts, but do focus on key places where they can improve.
  23. dejected
    affected or marked by low spirits
    Men were now trudging away from the shapeups at the other slaughterhouses, looking dejected and hopeless.A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919
  24. delighted
    greatly pleased
    The owner was delighted and said it was the happiest day of his life.Stuart Little
  25. depressed
    filled with melancholy and despondency
    “You’ve been angry and depressed. You seem to be getting worse.”Boy21
  26. despair
    a state in which all hope is lost or absent
    I watched her fall convincingly into poverty and despair, once abandoned by the wicked count—who was the prologue speaker in his black cloak.Atonement
  27. detestable
    offensive to the mind
    Instead of making him more likable, it made him more detestable and he ended up becoming passive-aggressive.Salon (Oct 19, 2014)
  28. devastating
    wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction
    The shaking lasted for four minutes with the usual devastating effects to property.A Short History of Nearly Everything
  29. disappointed
    sadly unsuccessful
    She lets her face fall into a disappointed scowl.Ask the Passengers
  30. disconsolate
    sad beyond comforting; incapable of being soothed
    With thoughts like these I was chafed and perplexed, and they rendered me gloomy and disconsolate.Washington Times (Dec 28, 2015)
  31. disillusioned
    freed from false ideas
    But, like many physicists of his generation, he became disillusioned with physics as a result of seeing its application to the war.The Scientists
  32. dismayed
    struck with fear, dread, or consternation
    The more horrible the crime, the more stunned, shocked, and dismayed is the tranquil city in which it happens; the more helpless are the citizens before it.Native Son
  33. disrespectful
    exhibiting lack of regard; rude and discourteous
    "It appears some disrespectful cowards spray painted their tagging crew and tagger names over the memorial," the police department stated on its Facebook page.Los Angeles Times (Nov 11, 2014)
  34. distant
    remote in manner
    They are silent and distant—always alone, always wary.An Ember in the Ashes
  35. distraught
    deeply agitated especially from emotion
    She was distracted and distraught, depressed and weak.Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers
  36. dour
    showing a brooding ill humor
    Hermione bore up reasonably well on those nights when they managed to scavenge nothing but berries or stale biscuits, her temper perhaps a little shorter than usual and her silences rather dour.Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
  37. dumbfounded
    as if rendered speechless with astonishment and surprise
    I was truly dumbfounded by this deep fury that possessed her whenever she looked at me.Black Like Me
  38. eager
    having or showing keen interest or intense desire
    I understood the idea, I was eager to learn more.Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
  39. ebullient
    joyously unrestrained
    He sprang up, a smallish man, high-spirited and ebullient.Americanah
  40. ecstatic
    feeling great rapture or delight
    When she heard about his plans for the conference and the official naming of Henrietta Lacks Day, she was ecstatic: finally, a scientist was honoring her mother.The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
  41. elated
    exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
    I laugh with them, all of us elated.Five Feet Apart
  42. embarrassed
    feeling or caused to feel uneasy and self-conscious
    Together, they embrace then pull apart as if embarrassed by the physical closeness.Seattle Times (Nov 10, 2014)
  43. empty
    void of emotion
    He tumbled lifelessly through July, feeling as dry and empty as the cicada husks on the trees.Wringer
  44. energetic
    possessing or displaying forceful exertion
    He was one of those energetic teachers who loved his subject half to death and leaped about the room dramatically, waving his arms and clutching his chest and whomping people on the back.Walk Two Moons
  45. enraged
    marked by extreme anger
    He felt enraged, violent, on the edge of explosion.Unbroken
  46. exhilarated
    filled with joy or excitement
    He started toward the staircase with a jaunty and exhilarated air.Catch-22
  47. exuberant
    joyously unrestrained
    And then, seeing what he carried, she exclaimed; her face ignited with elfin, exuberant glee.Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
  48. flabbergasted
    as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
    I was thrown off, confused, flabbergasted, and to put it simply—shocked.The Freedom Writers Diary
  49. frightened
    made afraid
    “If someone talks about using force, I am frightened,” she said.New York Times (Nov 9, 2014)
  50. frustrated
    disappointingly unsuccessful
    "But it still make me sad that I can’t speak well. I call my interpreter when I get frustrated."Reuters (Nov 12, 2014)
  51. furious
    marked by extreme anger
    Loki was furious, seeing much of his dinner about to be devoured, and he struck at the eagle with his spear, hoping to force it to drop its plundered food.Norse Mythology
  52. guilty
    showing a sense of wrongness
    I felt so guilty that most of the time I tried to avoid him completely.The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
  53. hesitant
    unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
    He is hesitant around me, kind of respectfully shy.The Help
  54. hopeful
    having or manifesting optimism
    He was hopeful, then, when Mr. Rutger, the orphanage director, informed him late that evening that Miss Perumal’s mother was considerably improved.The Mysterious Benedict Society
  55. hostile
    characterized by enmity or ill will
    Belligerent student protests were firing up the already hostile attitude inside the school.Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High
  56. inadequate
    lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
    He stated that Leah was a shameful and inadequate vessel for God’s will, and that was why he would no longer even stoop to punishing her when she needed it.The Poisonwood Bible
  57. indifferent
    showing no care or concern in attitude or action
    Our neighbors seemed fairly indifferent to our reduced circumstances, as they were occupied with their own.The Poisonwood Bible
  58. inferior
    of or characteristic of low rank or importance
    The Colvins lived in King Hill, a neighborhood that meant “poor” or “ inferior” to most who didn’t live there.Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
  59. infuriated
    marked by extreme anger
    The passage of the Molasses Act so infuriated the American colonists that for the first time the phrase “no taxation without representation” became a rallying cry.1919 The Year That Changed America
  60. inquisitive
    showing curiosity
    Ethyne was an inquisitive child, and once she knew that her elder brother was one of the babies sacrificed, she was filled with questions.The Girl Who Drank the Moon
  61. insecure
    lacking self-confidence or assurance
    Their ruthless comments shaped my personality and turned me into a shy, insecure, quiet girl.The Freedom Writers Diary
  62. insignificant
    of little importance or influence or power; of minor status
    In the huge Colosseum, with thousands of cheering ghosts, the god Bacchus staring down at him, and the two twelve-foot giants looming over him, Percy felt as small and insignificant as a bug.The Mark of Athena
  63. inspired
    of surpassing excellence
    An inspired musician with considerable natural talent, Walt still plays professionally from time to time.Into the Wild
  64. interested
    showing curiosity or fascination or concern
    While it was understandable that the press might be interested in these things, I nevertheless found their curiosity difficult to satisfy.Long Walk to Freedom
  65. intimate
    marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
    The couple grew so intimate that the woman promised she would move to New York in six months.New York Times (Nov 7, 2014)
  66. irascible
    quickly aroused to anger
    I saw nothing but horror stories about how he was controlling and irascible and unpredictable and moody.Seattle Times (May 25, 2013)
  67. irritated
    aroused to impatience or anger
    Her voice sounds irritated and impatient, like some of Dad’s tenured colleagues at school who Dad says are just counting the days till retirement.If I Stay
  68. isolated
    being or feeling set or kept apart from others
    At the same time, those who performed experiments ceased to be lonely and isolated individuals; they became members of an experimental network.The Invention of Science
  69. jealous
    suspicious or fearful of being displaced by a rival
    She was jealous even of the women who liked him, imagining how much attention he got here in Lagos, good-looking as he was, and now also wealthy.Americanah
  70. jubilant
    full of high-spirited delight
    His laughter was so infectious and jubilant, she couldn’t help but be taken in.The Serpent King
  71. judgmental
    relating to an assessment of a person, situation, or event
    This is terribly judgmental, but he was such a nerd.Time (Jan 12, 2011)
  72. liberated
    free from traditional social restraints
    Under the United States occupation, Ms. Takamine flourished in the sort of roles — modern, liberated women — encouraged by the American authorities as a break with imperial traditions.New York Times (Jan 3, 2011)
  73. loathing
    hate coupled with disgust
    His eyes snapped open and looked at her, and there was nothing but loathing there, nothing but the vilest contempt.A Game of Thrones
  74. lonely
    marked by sadness from being by yourself
    I was all alone, and felt lonely and sad.Where the Red Fern Grows
  75. lugubrious
    excessively mournful
    In New Orleans, the air is dark, the mood lugubrious.New York Times (Apr 14, 2017)
  76. mad
    roused to anger
    But that don’t sound right, so I try Miss Cook, my daddy got mad when I wasn’t doing my schoolwork and ripped up this book.Finding Langston
  77. optimistic
    hopeful that the best will happen in the future
    She said the talks were going well and she felt optimistic that progress could be made.BBC (Nov 12, 2014)
  78. perplexed
    full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
    She was a bit perplexed, however, as to why Harry would choose a place so far away, on the North Side, when there were so many lovely homes in Englewood.The Devil in the White City
  79. playful
    full of fun and high spirits
    Richard’s temperament made it easier—he was a happy kid, always dancing and singing, playful and silly.The 57 Bus
  80. powerful
    having great force or effect
    Even the powerful president of the University of North Carolina in neighboring Chapel Hill was not immune from these attacks.The Best of Enemies
  81. proud
    feeling self-respect, self-esteem, or self-importance
    And I tell myself I'm proud of myself for being so mentally strong, so tough-minded.Things Not Seen
  82. provocative
    serving or tending to excite or stimulate
    If anything, they encouraged Alice Paul and her allies to stage more provocative protests that attracted larger crowds and led to more arrests.Votes for Women!
  83. quarrelsome
    given to arguing
    It's simply impossible for me to 'belong' to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group.The Guardian (Jul 30, 2010)
  84. remorseful
    feeling or expressing pain or sorrow
    In a statement, Chow said the running back was “contrite, embarrassed and remorseful.”Washington Times (Oct 15, 2014)
  85. repugnant
    offensive to the mind
    “I think paisley is detestable and should be banned until the end of time. Same goes for pastel-colored clothing. Oh, and khakis are repugnant.”I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
  86. resentful
    full of or marked by indignant ill will
    This is how we, the electorate, are being described: sour, dyspeptic, demoralized, disgusted, rebellious, frustrated, resentful, angry.Seattle Times (Nov 7, 2014)
  87. sarcastic
    expressing or expressive of ridicule that wounds
    I waited for her to hit me with a sarcastic comeback, something that would slap me like an invisible hand across the face.Auggie & Me
  88. scared
    made afraid
    I was so scared I’d get lost, sweat prickled under my arms.Finding Langston
  89. sensitive
    being susceptible to the attitudes or feelings of others
    Nervous and completely lacking in empathy, he was so sensitive to criticism that he retreated into a shell of moody silence when anyone attacked his work.Salon (Mar 23, 2014)
  90. shocked
    struck with fear, dread, or surprise
    The change was so sudden that I was shocked, and a little scared.Rebecca
  91. skeptical
    marked by or given to doubt
    But Hunt was skeptical and not shy about expressing his doubts.The Devil in the White City
  92. submissive
    inclined or willing to give in to orders or wishes of others
    Then Wang Lung was humbled and anxious and he was submissive and he was sorry and he said, “Let it be only as you wish and forever.”The Good Earth
  93. sullen
    showing a brooding ill humor
    He became sullen, resentful, angry, and his memory seemed to be blown away.The Hot Zone
  94. suspicious
    openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
    As always, she’s suspicious, but I’m able to convince her after some coaxing and whining.I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
  95. terrified
    thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
    Halfway up the lake, just as he started to step over a log, he was absolutely terrified by an explosion under his feet.Hatchet
  96. uneasy
    causing or fraught with or showing anxiety
    He was uneasy and disturbed by the slinking gray shape that merged into the undergrowth every time he looked back to snarl at it.The Incredible Journey
  97. vulnerable
    capable of being wounded or hurt
    The big eyes and lips said: I’m young and vulnerable, I can’t hurt you, and you want to protect me.Uglies
  98. withdrawn
    tending to be reserved, quiet, or introspective
    These days he is quieter and more withdrawn.First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers
  99. worried
    afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble
    Officials were worried about retaliation after the attack, and so we were given an opportunity to leave the country and start anew.How Dare the Sun Rise
  100. worthless
    lacking in usefulness or value
    “It reminds me, too, of how worthless I was. Am. How I couldn’t protect my work family. Not then. How I can’t protect my family now. Look at this place.”Towers Falling
Created on November 12, 2014 (updated July 8, 2021)

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