Feelings Table
| Primary Emotion | Subtle | Moderate | Strong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joy | At-ease, Calm, Content, Cozy, Peaceful, Pleasant, Relaxed, Satisfied, Serene, Warm | Buoyant, Cheerful, Delighted, Exuberant, Giddy, Joyful, Lighthearted, Merry, Pleased, Upbeat | Blissful, Ecstatic, Elated, Euphoric, Exultant, Gleeful, Jubilant, Overjoyed, Rapturous, Thrilled |
| Love | Admiring, Appreciative, Fond, Friendly, Gentle, Kind, Nurturing, Soft‑hearted, Sympathetic, Warm | Affectionate, Attached, Caring, Cherishing, Compassionate, Endearing, Loving, Sweet, Tender, Warm‑hearted | Adoring, Amorous, Besotted, Devoted, Enamored, Fervent, Head‑over‑heels, Infatuated, Passionate, Smitten |
| Trust | Accepting, Agreeable, Attuned, Connected, Cooperative, Harmonious, Open, Reassured, Supportive, Sympathetic | Assured, Certain, Committed, Confident, Dependable, Protective, Reliant, Respecting, Secure, Trusting | Admiring, Adoring, Allegiant, Devoted, Faithful, Loyal, Reverent, Steadfast, Unwavering, Worshipful |
| Pride | Balanced, Composed, Content, Positive, Recognized, Secure, Self‑satisfied, Sure‑footed, Uplifted, Validated | Accomplished, Confident, Dignified, Esteemed, Fulfilled, Honored, Proud, Respected, Satisfied, Self‑assured | Arrogant, Boastful, Elated, Glorious, Grandiose, Magnificent, Radiant, Self‑exultant, Triumphant, Victorious |
| Hope | Accepting, Calm, Comforted, Curious, Interested, Light‑hearted, Open, Pondering, Speculative, Willing | Anticipating, Aspiring, Eager, Forward‑looking, Keen, Looking‑forward, Motivated, Ready, Reassured, Upbeat | Buoyant, Confident, Encouraged, Expectant, Hopeful, Inspired, Optimistic, Positive, Uplifted, Visionary |
| Relief | At‑ease, Better, Breathing‑easy, Defused, Easygoing, Light, Loosened, Mellow, Okay, Unclenched | Calmed, Comforted, Composed, Pacified, Placid, Relaxed, Serene, Settled, Soothing, Unstressed | Eased, Exonerated, Grateful, Liberated, Released, Relieved, Unburdened, Unlaced, Unshackled, Weightless |
| Calm | Carefree, Chill, Comfy, Content, Easygoing, Leisurely, Loose, Mild, Restful, Unhurried | Balanced, Calm, Centered, Even‑keeled, Gentle, Peaceful, Poised, Relaxed, Soft, Unworried | Collected, Composed, Equanimous, Imperturbable, Placid, Serene, Steady, Still, Tranquil, Unflappable |
| Anticipation | Absorbed, Alert, Attentive, Engaged, Focused, Interested, Mindful, Observant, Piqued, Thoughtful | Anticipating, Buzzing, Curious, Eager, Excited, Hopeful, Keen, Looking‑forward, Motivated, Ready | Amped, Electrified, Expectant, Hyper‑alert, Keyed‑up, On‑edge, Tense, Thrumming, Vigilant, Watchful |
| Surprise | Alert, Attentive, Captivated, Curious, Engrossed, Fascinated, Interested, Intrigued, Noticing, Piqued | Agog, Bewildered, Gasping, Incredulous, Perplexed, Shocked, Staggered, Surprised, Taken‑aback, Wide‑eyed | Amazed, Astonished, Awed, Dumbfounded, Flabbergasted, Mind‑blown, Speechless, Startled, Stunned, Thunderstruck |
| Fear | Cautious, Concerned, Edgy, Guarded, Hesitant, Jittery, Suspicious, Timid, Uneasy, Watchful | Anxious, Apprehensive, Distressed, Fearful, Nervous, On‑edge, Tense, Threatened, Uneasy, Worried | Alarmed, Appalled, Dread‑filled, Frantic, Horrified, Panicked, Paralyzed, Petrified, Spooked, Terrified |
| Anger | Aggravated, Displeased, Frustrated, Glowering, Grumpy, Impatient, Miffed, Peeved, Testy, Uptight | Angry, Annoyed, Cross, Heated, Hostile, Indignant, Irritated, Offended, Provoked, Resentful | Berserk, Enraged, Explosive, Furious, Incensed, Livid, Outraged, Seething, Vengeful, Wrathful |
| Sadness | Discouraged, Downhearted, Drained, Heavy‑hearted, Low, Nostalgic, Pensive, Subdued, Unfulfilled, Wistful | Blue, Dejected, Disappointed, Dismayed, Downcast, Gloomy, Heartbroken, Melancholic, Sad, Sullen | Anguished, Bereft, Desolate, Despairing, Devastated, Forlorn, Grief‑stricken, Heart‑rending, Mourning, Sorrowful |
| Disgust | Apathetic, Blasé, Bored, Disinterested, Indifferent, Listless, Lukewarm, Meh, Unimpressed, Weary | Averse, Contemptuous, Cringing, Disdainful, Disgusted, Distasteful, Horrified, Scornful, Sneering, Turned‑off | Abhorrent, Appalled, Detesting, Grossed‑out, Loathing, Nauseated, Repulsed, Reviled, Revolted, Sickened |
| Shame | Apprehensive, Awkward, Cautious, Ill‑at‑ease, Penitent, Regretful, Self‑conscious, Sorry, Uncomfortable, Uneasy | Abashed, Ashamed, Blushing, Chagrined, Discomfited, Embarrassed, Exposed, Flushed, Guilty, Sheepish | Abased, Ashamed‑to‑the‑core, Crushed, Debased, Devastated, Disgraced, Dishonored, Humiliated, Mortified, Self‑loathing |
| Guilt | Bothered, Concerned, Doubtful, Nagged, Perturbed, Questioning, Second‑guessing, Tentative, Troubled, Uneasy‑conscience | Accountable, Apologetic, At‑fault, Blameworthy, Culpable, Guilty, Regretful, Responsible, Shamefaced, Sorry | Agonized, Contrite, Haunted, Penitent, Racked, Regret‑ridden, Remorseful, Repentant, Self‑condemning, Tortured |
| Envy | Admiring, Aware, Curious, Discontent, Impressed, Interested, Noticing, Piqued, Questioning, Unsettled | Comparing, Competitive, Envious, Guarded, Insecure, Longing, Possessive, Wanting, Wistful, Yearning | Avaricious, Covetous, Desirous, Green‑eyed, Grudge‑filled, Jealous, Malicious, Resentful, Spiteful, Vindictive |
Emotional intelligence starts with perceiving and naming affect accurately. A structured vocabulary turns vague sensations (“I feel bad”) into precise data (“I’m uneasy, not terrified”). Researchers call this skill emotional granularity. People who can differentiate between many fine-grained emotions:
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show lower social anxiety and fewer interpersonal problems ☞ especially when they can label positive nuances as well as negative ones.
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use healthier regulation strategies such as cognitive re-appraisal, rather than suppression or outbursts.
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communicate more effectively because their partners don’t have to play emotional charades to guess what’s really going on.
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are less prone to depression or rumination when their vocabulary breadth is wide.
You can download a printable version (below) so you can access this Table and share this with others who might enjoy some emotional literacy.
