NOTE: Most of the thesaurus content herein comes from various sources, but I have added my share based on experience as a writer. The facial expressions, in part, are from Entusiasti Blog (March 19, 2014). Facial expressions and other physical behavior are largely from The Blog Muse, Emotion Thesaurus posted by Angela Ackerman before she and Becca Puglisi published their books. The full list of sources is at the end.
EMOTIONS THEARSUS – PART 2
CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING
Take all things into account when describing a scene so that the facial expression, body language, and context all match the situation and reactions that you, as the writer, intend it to mean. Never assume readers will know what you mean. They don't know what the author is thinking.
CONFIDENCE / PRIDE
Confidence and Pride may seem like the same emotion, and at times they may be, but there are differences.
● Pride refers to the satisfaction that an individual gains of his abilities, achievements, qualities, and possessions. Pride makes a person feel good about himself.
● A proud person is not humble whereas a confident person is.
● A proud person believes that he is capable of anything, but a confident person is aware of his flaws. differencebetween.com/pride-and-vs-confidence.
Take all things into account when describing a scene so that the facial expression, body language, and context all match the situation and reactions that you, as the writer, intend it to mean. Never assume readers will know what you mean. They don't know what the author is thinking.
CONFIDENCE / PRIDE
Confidence and Pride may seem like the same emotion, and at times they may be, but there are differences.
● Pride refers to the satisfaction that an individual gains of his abilities, achievements, qualities, and possessions. Pride makes a person feel good about himself.
● A proud person is not humble whereas a confident person is.
● A proud person believes that he is capable of anything, but a confident person is aware of his flaws. differencebetween.com/pride-and-vs-confidence.
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PRIDE Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions
When a person begins to be proud of his abilities, this creates an image of the person as supreme in comparison to others. Such an individual is usually engrossed in himself and pays less attention to others. Pride also involves signs of dominance and can also be misread as contempt.
Facial Expression
●The corners of the lips rise slightly, signaling the person is happy.
● The difference between pride and happiness is the backward tilt of the head and a minor thrust of the jaw, classic signs of power and dominance, giving feeling of strength.
● A slight smile.
Facial Expression
●The corners of the lips rise slightly, signaling the person is happy.
● The difference between pride and happiness is the backward tilt of the head and a minor thrust of the jaw, classic signs of power and dominance, giving feeling of strength.
● A slight smile.
| Other Physical Behavior ● Using slow exaggerated movements to draw attention to oneself ● A booming laugh ● Speaking boisterously, enthusiastically ● Walking with a swagger, sauntering ● Running hands through hair, flipping hair ● Assuming a pose that's sexy, appealing, or draws attention to one's best attributes ● Wearing clothes that are flashy or dramatic | Other Physical Behavior ● Smiling, a knowing or playful grin ● Winking or giving someone an easy nod easy nod ● Bragging, obsessively talking about an achi ● Bragging, obsessively talking about an achievement or material object (winning a game, a new car, etc), showing off ● Reacting with anger or jealousy if reputation is impugned |
| CONFIDENCE There are a few subtle differences between pride and confidence. People with self-confidence are usually proud of their accomplishments without being “prideful” and, to use the scientific term, “stuck up.” Confidence refers to the trust someone has about something. A significant difference between the Pride and Confidence stems from the quality of humility. A person, who is proud or full of pride, is not humble. However, a person, who is confident, is humble. He takes the advices and the feelings of others into consideration. Facial Expression ● Chin lifted but relaxed ●·Eyes look directly into another’s eyes ● Pleasant smile Other Physical Behavior ●·Shoulders back, chest out ● Comfortable being in close proximity to others or initiating contact |
Other Physical Behavior ● Telling jokes, adding to and/or steering a conversation ● Hosting an event or activity; inviting others to be with you ● Discrete about doing or saying things outside of the norm but takes smart risks and speaks out honestly with the truth without anxiety or concern ● Leaning in to talk or listen ● Good eye contact ● Generally positive and enthusiastic · A gleam in one’s eye, an inner light ● Appearing relaxed, at ease ● Controls emotional reactions; thinks things through ● Open stance dealing with peoplel ● Clarifies to assure understanding |
CONFUSION
Confusion represents a lack of understanding, and the expression itself is created by one increasing their efforts to understand something.
  |   | Facial Expression ● The nose and forehead scrunched up ● Brows drawn together; Sometimes with one eyebrow raised higher than the other ● Lips are typically pursed together ● Nose wrinkled ● Lines forming between the eyebrows ● Head tilting to the side ● Eyes narrowing ● Gaze clouded, distant; slack expression ● Biting lip ● Hands touching lips, mouth, face |
| Other Physical Behavior ●·Glance darting around, head turning, as if looking for answers ● Mind churning, working rapidly ● Mind freezing, unable to work ● Wandering a short distance before returning ● Moving blindly, mind on other things ● A slight shake of the head ● Repeating a question, responses ● Opening mouth but not speaking ● Using ‘word filler’ to stall for time (“Well…” or “Hold it a sec…” etc) ● Swallowing excessively ● Pinching the bridge of the nose, closing eyes | Other Physical Behavior ● Wilting posture ● Taking extra time to react (slowly finding a seat, distractedly reaching out for something or responding to stimulus—doorbell, ringing phone) ● Pacing ● Staring down at the ground or hands in lap ● Scratching at cheek, rubbing chin ● Asking for affirmation: “Are you sure?” ● Tapping fist against lips lightly while thinking ● Denial, shaking head, repeating “No”, warding someone off from speech or coming closer ● Taking a deep breath and puffing cheeks while letting it out again slowly |
CONTENTMENT
Most of us often consider happiness and contentment as synonymous, this is inaccurate. Happiness refers to a state of being happy or feeling pleasure and is usually short term.On the other hand, contentment is generally defined as a longer lasting state of being and a deeper feeling of satisfaction and gratitude. The emotional state viewed by many to have a long-lasting effect on those that experience it and a calmness which is stable.
  |   | Because contentment is a longer-term state of being, there is plenty of room for other emotions with their own facial expressions. One might say that these are the general, over time, normal expressions of content person. Facial Expression ● Relaxed smile ● Eyes closed, head tipped back, calm features ● Relaxed eyes, with smile lines; sparkling eyes ● Eyes half-closed, a lidded look of satisfaction |
| Other Physical Behavior ● Relaxed posture, slack limbs ● Slow easy breathing, A satisfied sigh ● Fingers loosely clasped together or behind head ● Being with others and with no need to fill silence with words ● An urge to sit back and soak in the sounds and sight around you ● Having no desire to be anywhere else | Other Physical Behavior ● Pleasant demeanor to others ● Leaning back, an arm hooked over the back of a chair ● Enjoying listening to others ● An unforced laugh or grin ● Relaxing or displaying interest and enjoyment of a venue ● Catlike stretching ● A warm voice, caring tone ● A wide stance, open demeanor |
CONTEMPT
Contempt is when you look down on someone derisively or suspiciously, or have total lack of respect.
The first kind of contempt is where one person is upset with another individual and has reached the breaking point. This actually an extreme form of anger. The second kind of contempt is when one person feels superior to the other person.
thetrustambassador.com/76-contempt Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions
| Facial Expression ● The lips tighten on one side of the face but not the other; a sneer. If the tightening is on both sides of the face, the person could be swallowing or salivating. ● Usually the jaw is set tight as are the lips. ● Frown with eyebrows; anger ● Eye brows level, not furrowed; superiority ● Backward tilt of head, but without the slight smile of pride. ● Eyes may squint ● Mouth open; the emotion is usually rage rather than contempt. ● Mouth closed and not clenched; superiroity When contempt is fueled by anger, the facial expressions of anger will be similar. People may confuse contempt with disgust, but the later involves the raising of the upper lip and the bridge of the nose wrinkles. People express disgust about noxious things, not those about which we are derisive or suspicious.
|  Other Physical Behavior ● Pointing to focus energy on person held in contempt; accusatory language ● Flat hand extended palm up ● Arms folded across chest ● Hands on hips ● Clenching/unclenching fists, nails biting into one’s palms ● Anger motivated pounding fists against thighs, table, wall, slamming doors, cupboards, drawers ● Anger motivated muscles quivering, breathing deeply, noisily ● Anger motivated pulse; vein visibly pulsing in various body parts ● Scowling, sneering, frowning ● Smiles that don't reach the eyes ● Laughter with an edge ● sarcasm |
Facial Expression
● Corrugators muscles pull eyebrows in and up
● Lips pressed together in neutral expression or slightly down; lips pulled down usually means sadness, not compassion
● Head slight forward; sign of social engagement
● Soft eye contact, with the intention of
really seeing the speaker
● Corrugators muscles pull eyebrows in and up
● Lips pressed together in neutral expression or slightly down; lips pulled down usually means sadness, not compassion
● Head slight forward; sign of social engagement
● Soft eye contact, with the intention of
really seeing the speaker
 |  Other Physical Behavior ● Listening with the whole body; turn whole body toward speaker, not just head. ● Leaning forward; engaging ● Offer connecting gestures, such as a part on the back or holding their hands, without interrupting the speaker to share your own comments or stories ● Open body language, such as arms and legs not crossed (and certainly no distractions, like a cell phone, in your hands!) |
CURIOSITY
| Facial Expression ● Raised eyebrow, wide eyes, intense stare at person speaking, display, or item of interest ● Cocked or tilted head, a slow nod ● A small delighted smile, Lips parting slightly ● Focused eyes; alert ● Lips parted slightly Other Physical Behavior ● Repeating a statement as a question ● Leaning in, sliding a chair closer, edging in ● A shift from mediocre to pointed questions ● A softened voice or tone ● Prying or snooping ● Straining to hear, shushing others |   |   |
| ● Pushing one’s glasses up and tilting the body toward the object of curiosity ● A gasp of wonder and/or surprise | Other Physical Behavior ● Slowed breaths ● Crossing arms & observing ● Stillness |
| DESPERATION Extreme desperation is the feeling you have little or no hope and are ready to do almost anything without worrying about the consequences to yourself or others. Whether you are talking about real life or writing characters in a novel, you can expect your subject will act out of character. With judgment and smart decision making hampered by emotion, they can be rash and make impaired decisions. Rules be damned and don’t get in my way. Just as with other emotions, there are varying degrees from mild to extreme, depending on the stakes at risk. |
Other Physical Behavior ● Wrap upper arms around self for comfort ● Wrap upper arms around self for comfort |
| Facial Expression ● Raised chin and compressed lips ● Furrowed brow ● Sides of mouth pulled back ● Hands to head | ●·Hugging shoulders, chin tight to chest ●·A disregard for another's feelings/needs if they conflict with one's own goal ● Sarcastic or cynical remark, with sarcastic smile |
| DEFENSIVE | |
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| Facial Expression ● Squinting eyes ● Lowered, angry brows ● Teeth grinding ● Cheeks sucked in ● Nostrils flaring ● Raised chin ● Eye rolling ● Lips tightly pursed ● Surprised, innocent expression Other Physical Behavior ● Hands on hips, arms crossed ● Rigid body ● Shaking the head ● Flinching, jerking back ● Breathing heavily ● Deflecting blame ● Sputtering, raised voice ● Interrupting the offender ● Storming away ● Sarcasm, Shouting, shaking voice ● Raised blood pressure, red in the face | Other Physical Behavior ● Continuing with mundane activities, as if the claim isn't worth acknowledging ● Flipping hair in annoyance ● Blowing out a noisy breath ● Going on the offensive and verbally attacking the accuser ● Stuttering, difficulty being articulate ● Hand splayed across chest, mouth gaping ● Stiff neck, cords standing out ● Sweating ● Lip-licking, excessive saliva ● Jerky movements, loss of fluidity to actions ● Excessive swallowing ● Pleading as if in danger or fearful ● Tears ● Leaning away from the offender ● Short snort of dismissive laughter ● Hands up, palms out, to ward off a blow ● Impatient gestures (foot tapping, etc.) ● Looking to others for back-up |
DESIRE Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions
| Desire in this context is closely related to flirtation and infatuation, and less closely to love. Strong desire for things can produce some of the same expressions. Facial Expressions ● Most signals of desire affect the mouth; Biting lip, lip puckers, tongue protruding, slightly licking ● Pupils dilate, making eyes look darker and more dazling ● Eye blinking, fluttering eyelashes ● A focused, flinty stare ● Engaging smile Other Physical Behavior ● Tension in the face, shoulders and neck ● Exhaustion, insomnia ● Tension headaches ● A focused, flinty stare ● Loss of appetite ● Snapping at people ● Day dreaming ● Mood swings ● Risk taking ● Paranoia
|  Other Physical Behavior ● Jumping to conclusions ● Physical pain ● Crankiness/irritability ● An inability to focus on day-to-day tasks ● Cravings ● Retreating from people and events in order to brood over obsession ● Stalking or spying May break the law to obtain object of desire ● daydreaming ● Misreading signals/body language ● Letting other things fall by the wayside--hygiene, work, commitments, responsibility ● Not easily distracted from the object of desire ● Finding ways to be near the object ● Rationalizing the desire ● Jealousy of those that have the object/person, are close to having it or have access to it ● Manipulation of those around you ● Denial |
 |  | ● Lying ● Changing one's personality, dress or environment in order to impress/gain trust/obtain ● ▪Overlooking faults, problems and heartache associated with the object or person desired |
| DISAPPOINTMENT Facial Expression ● Tilting chin to the side and frowning ● Shoulders slumping, sagging, drooping ● Chin dipping to chest ● Lips pressing tight, eyes focusing inward ● Gaze dropping down ● Face falling, turning pale ● Mouth falling open or chewing lip ● Eyes tearing up ● Eyes closing, squeezing shut for a moment |   |   |
| Other Physical Behavior ● Pressing hands to side of the head, or weaving hands into hair and pulling down ● Fist pressing to lips ● Avoiding other peoples' eyes, going stone-faced ● Wincing, pained expression ● Looking up with hands raised / ‘why me?’ ● Collapsing into a chair, bench ● Weaving slightly, stumbling mid-stride ● Sagging against a door/wall, reaching out to something to steady self ● Pressing hands to side of the head ● Fist pressing to lips | Other Physical Behavior ● Avoiding eyes contact; going stone-faced ● Wincing, pained expression ● Looking around in confusion ● Attempting to hide / assume fetal position ● Hands fiddling with things ● A slow nod while frowning ● A heavy sigh ● Rubbing at back of the neck ● Voice dropping or going quiet ● Voice rising in anger ● Denial (shaking head, whispering ‘no’ ● Heart sinking ● Onset of anger or violence |
DISGUST Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions
| Disgust usually involves the sense of smell, taste, or touch as well as sight. Disgust is expressed according to the intensity of the aversion / repulsion. Facial Expression ● Muscles above upper lip pull up, raising the right upper lip higher than the left; lips curled ● Wrinkled nose ● Eyes narrowed ● Mouth opens and tongue comes out, or it turns down. ● Face may pale, depending on degree of repulsion of what person is looking at. People may confuse disgust and anger but anger tightens the mouth, the lowers the eyebrows more significantly and raises the upper eyelid. Other Physical Behavior The body language expression and objective is to get rid of, or get away from, the offensive taste, object, or rotten smell, which would include many actions de-pending on circumstances. Only a few are list here. ● Strong verbal expressions such as “ugh”, “yuck”, “Eeww” or swearing, shrieking. ● Gag reflex; feel like vomiting, vomiting ● shuddering; shaking hands | 
● Cover nose or mouth, possibly ears with sound, eyes when something gruesome ● Move rapidly away; turn back to source or rush to curtail source (sound, smell, etc.) ● Throwing something into trash, etc. ● Sneering ● Reactions of surprise |
DISINTEREST
Disinterest is very close to boredom and the opposite of being keenly interested in something.
Disinterest is very close to boredom and the opposite of being keenly interested in something.
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| Facial Expression ● Eyes turned away, rolling eyes ● Hands to the face ● Lips straight and slightly compressed ● Also lips quirked to one side and eyes narrowed ● Eyebrows raised ● Head tilted, often supported by hand(s), ● Turned down mouth ● Eyes unfocused or glazed looking | Other Physical Behavior ● Slumping shoulders ● Slouching ● Finger in the nose ● Hands in lap ● General fidgeting ● Repetitive motion like swinging one foot or rubbing the shin ●Yawning |
DISTRUST
| Facial Expression ● A curling lip or tightened lips ● Eyes appear cold, dead, flat ● Narrowing eyes ● Averting eyes from subject ● Wrinkling up face or nose ● A pale cast to one’s face, a pallor over their features
| Other Physical Behavior ● Sneering ● Flinching away, recoiling ● Bringing a hand up to cover one’s mouth ● Refusing to look at someone ● Shaking head, muttering ● Looking or walking away/ gain composure ●· Spitting on ground or in direction of others ● Putting hand up, backing away ● Slowly repeating what someone has said, purposely devoid of all emotion ● Pulling away from contact ● Pressing hand to stomach ● A feeling of nausea, heaving stomach ● Demanding another to stop speaking or desist what they are doing ● Feeling dirty, oily, soiled, just by be being in the presence of one who causes disgust ● Using a purse, jacket, etc to create a ‘shield’ between self and cause of discomfort ● A desire to flee ● Avoiding touches, brushes, stepping back to stay beyond the other person’s reach ● Shunning, evasive answers ● Excessive saliva, having to swallow ● A choking or uncomfortable swallow ● To curl away from another if lying prone |
DOUBT
| Facial Expression ● Cocking or tilting the head ● Avoiding eye contact, looking awaye ● Brow furrowed ● Tightness in the face, pained ● Pressing lips together, mouth tilted hand over the face, closing eyes ● Hand over the face, closing eyes ● Licking lips/wetting lips Other Physical Behavior ● Shuffling feet ● Shoving hands in pockets ● Throat clearing |   |   |
| ● Backing away or lingering at the edge of a group or event ● Running hands through the hair ● Checking/rechecking appearance ● Nervous or impatient gestures such as pulling or tugging at clothes, tapping fingers ● Cold hands ● A hesitating nod ● Licking lips/wetting lips or other nervous habit ● Slightly clenched fists ● Making excuses for not agreeing quickly or to reassure ● Making alterative suggestions ● Rubbing the back of the neck ● Fiddling with hands, watch or jewelry | Other Physical Behavior ● A heavy, weighted sigh ● A shrug ●Avoiding speaking or agreeing; arguing ●Wincing as others agree or commend someone for their solution ● Rubbing the back of the neck ● Fiddling with hands; a watch or other jewelry ● Shaking the head ● Coughing as one agrees or supports a doubtful decision or stance ● A sharp or exaggerated intake of breath ●Avoiding speaking or agreeing; arguing ●Wincing as others agree or commend someone for their solution |
ELATION
  |   | Facial Expression ● Mouth open ● Bright smile; teeth showing ● Head up or tilted back ● Eyes closed or squinted Other Physical Behavior ● Hands up ● Jumping up and down ● Shouts or cries of joy ● Exuberant-like body language ● Energetic movements ; arms, hands ● Whooping, smiling, cheering, shouting ● Pumping a fist in the air ● Greeting with gusto; shaking hands firmly ● Squeezing the arm; a friendly shake |
 | Facial Expression ● Avert gaze; move eyes downward or upward ● Cover face with hands, hair, something ● Neck red ● Lips press together tightly reflecting feelings of restraint or inhibition; grit teeth ● Move head downward and to the side ● Cheeks and forehead flush |
| Embarrassment is an emotion which strikes quickly and automatically in a manner that people cannot control, but it lasts only a short time. Embarrassment most often occurs when an error or gaff, a socially unacceptable or frowned upon act is committed and witnessed before others or is revealed to others. The emotion, unlike others, because it has unique antecedents and physiological effects, it elicits singular feelings and behaviors, and it has particular effects on people’s interactions with others.
| Other Physical Behavior ● Looking shamefaced, sheepish ● Nervous repetitive movements ● Clearing the throat; coughing ● Covering oneself: crossing arms, closing jacket ● Wincing, ducking head ● Stuttering, stammering ● speechlessness ● Shoulders slumping, slouching, sagging, hunching ● Desire to run away (fight or flight) ● Glancing about as if for an exit or escape ● Deflecting attention/assigning blame to another ● Angry or knee-jerk type reactions: lashing out, taking a cheap shot; defensive reaction ● Shoving hands in pockets ● Hiding behind a book ● Death grip on backpack straps, school books pressed to chest ● Rapid walking with head down to get away ● Excessive swallowing ● muddied or panicked thoughts ● Lightheadedness, tingling in chest/stomach ● Attempting to be invisible |
ENERGETIC / ENTHUSIASTIC
| Mirrors Elated expressions and actions but, in a more formal setting such as at work, probably more subdued and usually longer-term than Elated. Facial Expression ● Mouth open; raised chin ● Bright wile smile; teeth showing ● Head up or tilted back ● Eyes closed, squinted, good eye contact ● Color in cheeks |   |   |
| Other Physical Behavior ● Hands up ● Jumping up and down ● Shouts or cries of joy ● Exuberant-like body language ● Energetic movements; arms and hands ● Whooping, smiling, cheering, shouting ● Pumping a fist in the air ● Greeting with gusto ● Squeezing the arm; friendly shake of shoulders ● Alert ● Excited; Twitchy ● Super-observant; Sharpened senses ●Tingly extremities ● Bouncing on the balls of the feet ● Buoyant voice ● Pacing ● Erect posture; Shoulders back strong decision-making ● High-fiving, bumping shoulders, etc. ● Speed-talking; bubbly or loud tone ● Deep/genuine laughter | Other Physical Behavior ● Restless movements such as swinging or tapping foot ● Eagerness to do whatever needs to be done ● The feeling that you can do anything ● Lighthearted, like your problems are no longer significant ● Increased and louder heartbeat ● A gaze that flits from person to person or sweeps across a room, picking up all details Tapping fingers against the leg ● Nodding along as someone speaks ● Cutting in, speaking over people ● Defusing/refuting the excuses of others, refusing to be deterred or delayed ●Taking in deep cleansing breaths ● A bright, positive outlook ● Belief in oneself ● Encourages others ● Displays confidence and determination ● Easy to pump up, like with music |
EXHAUSTED / FATIGUED
| Facial Expression ● Downward gaze ● Closed Eyes or half lidded eyes ● Rubbing at eyes; difficulty keeping them open ● Red or tearing eyes; drifting focus ● Squeezing eyes shut hard and then opening them wide in a bid to keep focused ● Vacant stare ● Dark circles under eyes ● Yawning ● Head nodding forward toward chest
| Other Physical Behavior ● Propping up head in some way ● Slouching, bad posture; bowed shoulders ● Slow or slurred speech; mumbling, one word answers ● A weighted sigh ● Loose movements ● Rubbing temples or face ● Fumbling, clumsiness, shakiness ● Heavy limbs; numbness ● Shuffling or steps that scuff the floor ● Scrubbing a hand through the hair ● Drinking coffee non-stop ● Leaning against a chair, a wall, etc. ● Rolling the neck side to side ● Opening windows for fresh air (car) ● Turning up a radio or TV for noise ● Pinching the bridge of the nose ● Stretching, shaking limbs; blood flow ●Taking an opportunity to sit when possible ● Swaying on feet ● Silence; Zoning out ● Tipping head back on neck ● Rereading the same page ● Asking someone to repeat themselves ● Listening but not hearing ● Slowed reaction time ● Impaired judgement ● Stiff, weary muscles ● Dry mouth or a bad taste in the mouth |
MORE EMOTIONS IN COMING WEEKS
COMPLETE SOURCES LISTED IN PART 1
COMPLETE SOURCES LISTED IN PART 1
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