Communicating Emotions: Useful Words
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Marshall Rosenberg’s book Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life offers an invaluable method for helping to resolve conflicts constructively, whether you’re directly involved or not, and even if you’re the only person there who knows anything about it.
Among the resources offered on the Nonviolent Communication Web site at http://www.cnvc.org/learn/resources is a list of words used to describe emotions. These are valuable in any kind of communication about feelings partly because of how tricky it sometimes is to convey exactly how we feel to another person and partly to help us differentiate between emotions and judgments.
Feelings when your needs are satisfied
| AFFECTIONATE | CONFIDENT | GRATEFUL | PEACEFUL |
| compassionate | empowered | appreciative | calm |
| friendly | open | moved | clear headed |
| loving | proud | thankful | comfortable |
| open hearted | safe | touched | centered |
| sympathetic | secure | content | |
| tender | INSPIRED | equanimous | |
| EXCITED | amazed | fulfilled | |
| amazed | awed | mellow | |
| ENGAGED | animated | wonder | quiet |
| absorbed | ardent | relaxed | |
| alert | aroused | JOYFUL | relieved |
| curious | astonished | amused | satisfied |
| engrossed | dazzled | delighted | serene |
| enchanted | eager | glad | still |
| entranced | energetic | happy | tranquil |
| fascinated | enthusiastic | jubilant | trusting |
| interested | giddy | pleased | |
| intrigued | invigorated | tickled | REFRESHED |
| involved | lively | enlivened | |
| spellbound | passionate | EXHILARATED | rejuvenated |
| stimulated | surprised | blissful | renewed |
| ecstatic | rested | ||
| HOPEFUL | elated | restored | |
| expectant | enthralled | revived | |
| encouraged | exuberant | ||
| optimistic | radiant | ||
| rapturous | |||
| thrilled |
Feelings when your needs are not satisfied
| AFRAID | CONFUSED | EMBARRASSED |
| apprehensive | ambivalent | ashamed |
| dread | baffled | chagrined |
| foreboding | bewildered | flustered |
| frightened | dazed | guilty |
| mistrustful | hesitant | mortified |
| panicked | lost | self-conscious |
| petrified | mystified | |
| scared | perplexed | FATIGUE |
| suspicious | puzzled | beat |
| terrified | torn | burnt out |
| wary | depleted | |
| worried | DISCONNECTED | exhausted |
| alienated | lethargic | |
| ANNOYED | aloof | listless |
| aggravated | apathetic | sleepy |
| dismayed | bored | tired |
| disgruntled | cold | weary |
| displeased | detached | worn out |
| exasperated | distant | |
| frustrated | distracted | PAIN |
| impatient | indifferent | agony |
| irritated | numb | anguished |
| irked | removed | bereaved |
| uninterested | devastated | |
| ANGRY | withdrawn | grief |
| enraged | heartbroken | |
| furious | DISQUIET | hurt |
| incensed | agitated | lonely |
| indignant | alarmed | miserable |
| irate | discombobulated | regretful |
| livid | disconcerted | remorseful |
| outraged | disturbed | |
| resentful | perturbed | SAD |
| rattled | depressed | |
| AVERSION | restless | dejected |
| animosity | shocked | despair |
| appaled | startled | despondent |
| contempt | surprised | disappointed |
| disgusted | troubled | discouraged |
| dislike | turbulent | disheartened |
| hate | turmoil | forlorn |
| horrified | uncomfortable | gloomy |
| hostile | uneasy | heavy hearted |
| repulsed | unnerved | hopeless |
| unsettled | melancholy | |
| upset | unhappy | |
| wretched |
(c) 2005 by Center for Nonviolent Communication
Website: www.cnvc.org Email: