That’s right. Affective, not effective, writing. This article is about how words make readers feel certain emotions. Sneak these words in whenever you can, sprinkle them onto the pages and watch their magic unfold.
Word scores: Valence, arousal and dominance
Valence = how happy or sad the reader feels having read the word. Low = sad, high = happy. Valence is highly correlated with image-ability.
Arousal = how tense or relaxed it makes the reader feel. low = relaxing, high = tens. Arousal is highly correlated with concreteness of words.
Dominance = how helpless or in control it makes the reader feel. Low = helpless, high = in control.
Word scores per emotion
A writer can use these effects to his advance. Pick the right words to make the reader feel exactly what you need him to feel to truly experience the story alongside your POV character.
Sadness = low valence, low arousal, low dominance
Anger = low valence, high arousal, medium dominance
Fear = low valence, high arousal, low dominance
Disgust = low valence, medium arousal, medium dominance
Joy = high valence, medium arousal, high dominance
Surprise = high valence, high arousal, medium dominance
Word scores per sense
Pain = low valence, high arousal, medium dominance
Smell = high valence, medium arousal, low dominance
colour = high valence, low arousal, medium dominance
Taste = high valence, low arousal, medium dominance
Sound = low valence, high arousal, medium dominance
Grasp = medium valence, low arousal, high dominance
Motion = medium valence, high arousal, low dominance
Combining the emotion and sensory words
Imagine your protagonist, let’s call him John, starts out rather helpless in a scene, eventually regains himself and struggles his way out of trouble.
John woke up, tied up to a tree. In this stage, you want to convey a sense of helplessness and fear so you use words that score low on dominance and low on valence. You avoid use of grasping-verbs (high dominance) in this stage. Once he regained his wits, it’s time to give the reader a sense of hope again by having John grab a knife and cut himself free.
Affective Word Lists
Sadness = low valence, low arousal, low dominance
| coma |
| glaucoma |
| desolate |
| colic |
| frail |
| anemic |
| gloomy |
| pudgy |
| mousy |
| nothingness |
| unsuccessful |
| widower |
| bloated |
| stalemate |
| morgue |
| sham |
| geezer |
| gurney |
| inferiority |
| defeatist |
| tawdry |
| comatose |
| inability |
| bottom |
| lame |
| clammy |
| penal |
| orphan |
| fatty |
| discouraged |
| unreachable |
Anger = low valence, high arousal, medium dominance
| fatal |
| zombie |
| threat |
| kill |
| laceration |
| mafia |
| heartbroken |
| phobia |
| executioner |
| grenade |
| spider |
| gunfire |
| ghetto |
| contamination |
| king snake |
| gruesome |
| perverted |
| ferocious |
| conundrum |
| frostbite |
| mundane |
| reroute |
| orphanage |
| woozy |
| catatonic |
| pathological |
| tarantula |
| agonizing |
| numb |
| oaf |
| humid |
| archdiocese |
| pit |
| incoherent |
| downer |
| fatigue |
| forsake |
| scar |
| emptiness |
| insanity |
| prude |
| sewer |
| arterial |
| widow |
| panicky |
| diaper |
| urn |
| rage |
| innards |
| extradition |
| mute |
| lard |
| dredge |
| dopey |
| disdain |
| ineffectual |
| musty |
| venomous |
| nappy |
| dud |
| pious |
| subservient |
| attacker |
| inaudible |
| gassy |
| stagnant |
| lonesome |
| suppression |
| morn |
| inconsistent |
| trifling |
| craziness |
| alimony |
| bugger |
| sickle |
| elimination |
| misconception |
| drool |
| whaling |
| wilt |
| repressed |
| shack |
| clump |
| draught |
| blockade |
| withhold |
| warpath |
| inconsequential |
| flea |
| edema |
| killer |
| custodian |
| limp |
| prolong |
| dismissive |
| bureaucrat |
| pasty |
| slur |
| legislature |
| wart |
| residue |
| slop |
| scream |
| isolation |
| mar |
| oedipal |
| wimp |
| monotonous |
| weary |
| prig |
| dust |
| aggressor |
| subdued |
| recluse |
| clod |
| scare |
| nameless |
| nostril |
| disconnect |
| sissy |
| broadside |
| fatten |
| dung |
| stale |
| listless |
| chase |
| hinder |
| timid |
| hostility |
| gun |
| dull |
| sect |
| tiresome |
| doormat |
| liar |
| orthodox |
| smug |
| mope |
| breach |
| argue |
| drab |
| gray |
| decompression |
| sinus |
| reschedule |
| flop |
| slouch |
| outrage |
| flabby |
| ploy |
| flaccid |
| wino |
| philistine |
| mono |
| muted |
| refusal |
| conceited |
| shotgun |
| saggy |
| laziness |
| flunky |
| dent |
| screamer |
| dismal |
| splint |
| fess |
| boredom |
| seclusion |
| evasive |
| slack |
| drain |
| slutty |
| baldy |
| hairy |
| provoke |
| hesitant |
| mould |
| telethon |
| ant |
| malnutrition |
| cheapskate |
| rotor |
| hoarse |
| shutdown |
| incubator |
| gang |
| rife |
| decaf |
| redundancy |
| lack |
| darn |
| user |
| ashtray |
| bypass |
| overlap |
| abstinence |
| scoff |
| patronize |
| bland |
| lazy |
| childless |
| celibacy |
| shallow |
| cholesterol |
| toenail |
| subdue |
| boring |
| celibate |
| policy |
Fear = low valence, high arousal, low dominance
| earthquake |
| rape |
| asphyxiation |
| motherfucker |
| dangerous |
| diarrhea |
| terrorism |
| quake |
| murderer |
| gunpoint |
| tornado |
| hijacker |
| murderous |
| nigger |
| plague |
| bullshit |
| invasion |
| tragedy |
| arrest |
| persecution |
| slaughterhouse |
| rabid |
| die |
| massacre |
| kidnapper |
| schizophrenia |
| attack |
| bombing |
| arsonist |
| shipwreck |
| assault |
Disgust = low valence, medium arousal, medium dominance
| invader |
| injection |
| incriminating |
| nosebleed |
| dickhead |
| dreaded |
| jittery |
| backfire |
| illicit |
| fuss |
| impossible |
| forget |
| hitchhiker |
| bile |
| staph |
| bane |
| allergy |
| sellout |
| lisp |
| demonic |
| psychosis |
| shrill |
| murderess |
| bubonic |
| asylum |
| psychopath |
| laughingstock |
| restrict |
| toothless |
| disparage |
| carelessness |
| senate |
| thug |
| sentencing |
| incest |
| termite |
| feeble |
| prison |
| headless |
| unrest |
| unpleasant |
| lawlessness |
| rot |
| muzzle |
| asthma |
| nitwit |
| mandatory |
| damnation |
| distraught |
| maggot |
| frightful |
| AIDS |
| pus |
| heartbreaking |
| incessant |
| dizzy |
| discomfort |
| anemia |
| ineffective |
| stooge |
| unforgivable |
| python |
| belligerent |
| bad |
| insecurity |
| cocaine |
| salmonella |
| scrutiny |
| lawyer |
| entrapment |
| cringe |
| slaughter |
| rob |
| traumatic |
| hooligan |
| cockroach |
| hysterectomy |
| unwanted |
| forbidding |
| typhoid |
| loathsome |
| dandruff |
| blockage |
| overweight |
| bureaucracy |
| harass |
| heartbreak |
| fearsome |
| abusive |
| petrified |
| unappreciated |
| insidious |
| expulsion |
| croak |
| uncertain |
| cage |
| nicotine |
| appendectomy |
| frantic |
| bogus |
| repulsive |
| twitchy |
| serpent |
| seizure |
| omen |
| segregation |
| toll |
| formaldehyde |
| clueless |
| inconvenience |
| pickpocket |
| bleeder |
| evil |
| injury |
| bacterial |
| uncooperative |
| irate |
| headstone |
| sprain |
| wicked |
| cult |
| stalk |
| boa |
| hardship |
| fungus |
| hag |
| scrawny |
| loneliness |
| explosion |
| rudeness |
| contagion |
| angst |
| slander |
| viral |
| accusation |
| strangle |
| hoodlum |
| indecisive |
| breakdown |
| insecure |
| dread |
| ejection |
| careless |
| squabble |
| relapse |
| disadvantage |
| tick |
| sloppy |
| faggot |
| corruption |
| deafening |
| immobile |
| wheeze |
| danger |
| conspiracy |
| inhuman |
| sabotage |
| despairing |
| unprofessional |
| wound |
| unsure |
| disown |
| downfall |
| cowardice |
| blunder |
| mourning |
| inexperienced |
| disgruntled |
| bureaucratic |
| violent |
| jeopardize |
| bitch |
| scapegoat |
| cesspool |
| germ |
| burdened |
| brimstone |
| lecherous |
| flaky |
| barbarian |
| destroyer |
| horrid |
| struggle |
| treason |
| embarrassed |
| leakage |
| heroin |
| manipulative |
| probation |
| degeneration |
| defective |
| congressman |
| substandard |
| unavailable |
| impossibility |
| dyke |
| mediocrity |
| horrendous |
| audit |
| uncomfortable |
| dungeon |
| thorny |
| discontent |
| eviction |
| glutton |
| nauseating |
| humidity |
| sanitarium |
| derogatory |
| fatality |
| neglect |
| bogeyman |
| misleading |
| corrupt |
| gunshot |
| scary |
| haphazard |
| disrespectful |
| futility |
| infect |
| penalty |
| taker |
| barren |
| exorcism |
| deployment |
| debt |
| disloyalty |
| dishonorable |
| minefield |
| claustrophobia |
| unhappy |
| barf |
| drug dealing |
| inadequate |
| alienate |
| dependency |
| clot |
| inaccurate |
| dummy |
| discourage |
| decline |
| breakup |
| frustrating |
| incomprehensible |
| soulless |
| coffin |
| expiration |
| whiplash |
| deadly |
| hurt |
| grave |
| forlorn |
| unspeakable |
| deport |
| discrepancy |
| poisoning |
| collapse |
| choke |
| insane |
| unscheduled |
| tramp |
| scam |
| mortgage |
| ruination |
| unrequited |
| concussion |
| controversy |
| incriminate |
| bloody |
| herpes |
| hypochondriac |
| abrupt |
| unprepared |
| unstable |
| bleed |
| surgical |
| bogey |
| vulnerability |
| complaint |
| pointless |
| undesirable |
| snub |
| madman |
| snowstorm |
| broken |
| uninvited |
| abysmal |
| crisis |
| irritating |
| impotence |
| operation |
| ridiculous |
| destruction |
| arson |
| judge |
| difficult |
| homeless |
| trap |
| godforsaken |
| bruise |
| tiring |
| black snake |
| feverish |
| tremble |
| embezzler |
| judgmental |
| jailer |
| prejudiced |
| graveyard |
| inconvenient |
| dishonor |
| nuisance |
| pillage |
| turd |
| negligence |
| weakling |
| wretched |
| unanswered |
| stepfather |
| exorcist |
| abomination |
| lovesick |
| maniac |
| wasp |
| sickening |
| infection |
| misery |
| rude |
| impending |
| shaky |
| expire |
| stinker |
| sorrow |
| punish |
| delusional |
| deception |
| starvation |
| allergic |
| prejudice |
| outcast |
| paranoid |
| oppressed |
| weakness |
| stereotype |
| meathead |
| gout |
| douche |
| culprit |
| cirrhosis |
| foe |
| deformity |
| junkie |
| crook |
| uneasy |
| sleaze |
| cemetery |
| unwell |
| unattended |
| inexcusable |
| fanatical |
| hornet |
| crucifixion |
| painful |
| vile |
| sergeant |
| mania |
| complication |
| vagabond |
| misunderstanding |
| troubled |
| icky |
| gangland |
| fall |
| slum |
| confine |
| nonexistent |
| fussy |
| wail |
| devil |
| summons |
| desecration |
| endangerment |
| centipede |
| goblin |
| addiction |
| pothead |
| Pope |
| perversion |
| frustrated |
| cowardly |
| columbine |
| lost |
| deteriorate |
| stress |
| untrained |
| sickly |
| unaware |
| legislation |
| weepy |
| snore |
| monstrous |
| infidelity |
| creeper |
| betray |
| envious |
| miserable |
| itch |
| deceptive |
| conflicting |
| swindler |
| predator |
| imbalance |
| offender |
| ugly |
| distortion |
| undertaker |
| citation |
| bloat |
| undetermined |
| embarrassing |
| overheated |
| intolerance |
| kamikaze |
| defeat |
| manslaughter |
| scandal |
| gunman |
| burglar |
| mosquito |
| fascist |
| surrender |
| greasy |
| illiterate |
| druggist |
| ignorance |
| imposition |
| obligatory |
| deficient |
| furious |
| sniper |
| jealousy |
| trial |
| brutality |
| tombstone |
| fiendish |
| proctologist |
| torpedo |
| depravity |
| bummer |
| deadbeat |
| disastrous |
| sewage |
| decomposition |
| ruse |
| slut |
| mayhem |
| wreckage |
| disruption |
| burn |
| contagious |
| fiend |
| gash |
| pompous |
| charred |
| unsatisfied |
| foolish |
| quicksand |
| distress |
| erosion |
| raid |
| eerie |
| scalding |
| rejection |
| irresponsible |
| disappearance |
| prostitute |
| delusion |
| profane |
| snotty |
| jail |
| hectic |
| unrealistic |
| depressed |
| faceless |
| mortuary |
| swarm |
| robber |
| squealer |
| venom |
| snatcher |
| satanic |
| crappy |
| resistance |
| intrude |
| vengeful |
| distasteful |
| hideous |
| woe |
| slobber |
| blight |
| sore |
| slag |
| vagrant |
| darkened |
| cartel |
| inbred |
| bullet |
| rattlesnake |
| theft |
| hospital |
| overpriced |
| nervousness |
| interrupt |
| louse |
| bomber |
| blood |
| brutal |
| court |
| lawless |
| gossip |
| sourpuss |
| harm |
| revolting |
| disrespect |
| impolite |
| misdemeanor |
| confusing |
| ghastly |
| fright |
| suspicious |
| defenseless |
| cardiac |
| discriminating |
| endanger |
| dropout |
| impatient |
| con |
| loathing |
| collide |
| idiocy |
| abscess |
| spam |
| wheelchair |
| impotent |
| absinthe |
| wetback |
| dimwit |
| horrifying |
| homicidal |
| torment |
| shithead |
| allegation |
| ambush |
| devastating |
| wartime |
| havoc |
| drinker |
| insult |
| humiliate |
| abnormality |
| evict |
| nag |
| loveless |
| melancholy |
| incomplete |
| drunkenness |
| stressful |
| straitjacket |
| bereavement |
| blackmail |
| nasty |
| noose |
| desperation |
| assassination |
| obsessive |
| combat |
| agony |
| buffoon |
| poisonous |
| argumentative |
| smelly |
| gunplay |
| shriek |
| fatso |
| accuse |
| fugitive |
| blinding |
| hatred |
| susceptible |
| unsafe |
| expendable |
| hellfire |
| grisly |
| bedpan |
| antagonize |
| discharge |
| abyss |
| peddler |
| disoriented |
| ex |
| greedy |
| deplorable |
| angina |
| unqualified |
| poor |
| epileptic |
| maim |
| inflation |
| opposition |
| pessimistic |
| greed |
| intimidating |
| mandate |
| ache |
| uncouth |
| crypt |
| indecision |
| phlegm |
| racial |
| bill |
| bail |
| fat |
| rut |
| sordid |
| atrophy |
| outdated |
| unfair |
| separation |
| silencer |
| wasteful |
| dependence |
| pathological |
| nervous |
| divorce |
| fault |
| withering |
| stupid |
| insubordination |
| ruthless |
| turmoil |
| stalker |
| narcissist |
| skunk |
| harsh |
| vengeance |
| pester |
| homophobic |
| mobster |
| bloodshot |
| unscrupulous |
| slime |
| deportation |
| headache |
| conceit |
| scarce |
| monarchy |
| repugnant |
| disable |
| pit |
| alarming |
| battlefield |
| severe |
| resentment |
| harassment |
| crackpot |
| incision |
| disorderly |
| denial |
| succubus |
| despair |
| detour |
| scorn |
| pigsty |
| drunken |
| fraught |
| glucose |
| embolism |
| eulogy |
| killjoy |
| stub |
| hepatitis |
| unsuspecting |
| crazed |
| radiation |
| bulimic |
| rodent |
| laryngitis |
| worrying |
| rancid |
| dissociative |
| ignorant |
| filth |
| disappoint |
| gloom |
| bug |
| sexist |
| hack |
| enslave |
| napalm |
| annoyed |
| convict |
| mourn |
| disappointment |
| displeasure |
| strain |
| cellblock |
| punitive |
| disappointed |
| grimy |
| badness |
| crutch |
| manhunt |
| cannibalism |
| cheater |
| sinful |
| distorted |
| persecute |
| shank |
| regretful |
| criminal |
| phony |
| coward |
| pimple |
| muck |
| casualty |
| maniacal |
| obnoxious |
| shitty |
| uncertainty |
| stomachache |
| infraction |
| obsess |
| harmful |
| politician |
| spineless |
| measles |
| tedious |
| disprove |
| thorn |
| desecrate |
| angry |
| gambling |
| warrant |
| conflict |
| wacko |
| deceitful |
| punishment |
| swear |
| appalled |
| crap |
| overwrought |
| mockery |
| warship |
| spoil |
| foul |
| brainless |
| sorrowful |
| hesitation |
| washout |
| insolent |
| discord |
| heinous |
| rip |
| scurvy |
| stab |
| communist |
| odor |
| uncivilized |
| varmint |
| hairball |
| unattainable |
| sunburn |
| resentful |
| unclear |
| deposition |
| fee |
| teething |
| lumpy |
| impair |
| juvenile |
| projectile |
| urinal |
| widow |
| gunfight |
| lesion |
| accursed |
| toxic |
| tobacco |
| awkwardness |
| scurry |
| swindle |
| confused |
| wickedness |
| pornography |
| delinquency |
| pileup |
| bribery |
| testicular |
| bawl |
| misplace |
| venereal |
| dispute |
| exhumation |
| repression |
| prohibition |
| solicitor |
| gruel |
| separate |
| anxious |
| horrific |
| ridicule |
| immoral |
| intolerable |
| rickety |
| sinister |
| banshee |
| narcissism |
| neurotic |
| grotesque |
| menacing |
| unlucky |
| ailing |
| stagger |
| deficiency |
| illegitimate |
| gangster |
| distressed |
| motherfucking |
| freezing |
| retarded |
| raging |
| piranha |
| economy |
| exploit |
| pollution |
| semen |
| jinx |
| beggar |
| mucus |
| divorcee |
| unromantic |
| criticism |
| disembodied |
| condemn |
| indictment |
| confrontation |
| affliction |
| dire |
| smoke |
| mean |
| offend |
| inflammatory |
| fetal |
| expel |
| weep |
| demeaning |
| stepmother |
| graft |
| madness |
| worried |
| incinerator |
| deteriorating |
| trafficking |
| embezzlement |
| grim |
| probe |
| error |
| headlock |
| deficit |
| strife |
| brooding |
| cuckold |
| chloroform |
| fireball |
| whorehouse |
| dictator |
| skull |
| disorder |
| forgetfulness |
| immature |
| mildew |
| unclean |
| bunion |
| snide |
| scared |
| missile |
| tetanus |
| tragic |
| squirm |
| fracture |
| mislead |
| idiot |
| stumble |
| smother |
| detention |
| fecal |
| malignant |
| repossess |
| inconclusive |
| soggy |
| suicide |
| monstrosity |
| hazmat |
| bruising |
| entrails |
| scatter |
| intestine |
| bigamy |
| litigation |
| klutz |
| resent |
| gunk |
| unfortunate |
| ineffectual |
| injure |
| hazard |
| late |
| embarrass |
| ultimatum |
| critical |
| derail |
| untrustworthy |
| commie |
| punishable |
| old |
| objection |
| unacceptable |
| derelict |
| unreliable |
| pimp |
| discouraging |
| obese |
| unfit |
| racketeering |
| musty |
| irritable |
| exterminate |
| smuggle |
| queasy |
| bullheaded |
| pushy |
| doubtful |
| motherless |
| scalpel |
| witless |
| flunk |
| snoop |
| fret |
| confiscate |
| deceit |
| wrongful |
| crushed |
| reaper |
| disgusted |
| bitchy |
| liability |
| overwhelm |
| absence |
| deprive |
| trash |
| nefarious |
| nemesis |
| dizziness |
| arrhythmia |
| awkward |
| cough |
| untimely |
| hardheaded |
| welfare |
| deviled |
| infirmary |
| zilch |
| desolation |
| heartburn |
| interruption |
| distance |
| subservient |
| contaminate |
| underworld |
| overbearing |
| moody |
| epidural |
| chronic |
| acid |
| grouch |
| blabbermouth |
| disappointing |
| rusted |
| callous |
| cystic |
| gassy |
| shootout |
| oncology |
| cutthroat |
| anguish |
| alleged |
| unannounced |
| needy |
| wreck |
| opposing |
| befall |
| numbskull |
| dreary |
| deny |
| larceny |
| trickster |
| scavenger |
| mercenary |
| berserk |
| negative |
| disturb |
| yell |
| unforgiving |
| slob |
| downside |
| exhaustion |
| moldy |
| impatience |
| discredit |
| clingy |
| stinky |
| unarmed |
| malpractice |
| destroy |
| prejudicial |
| tardiness |
| ghoul |
| upset |
| porky |
| emphysema |
| destitute |
| hangover |
| invade |
| barbaric |
| deserter |
| felony |
| drugs |
| vagrancy |
| hateful |
| clash |
| jeering |
| dishonesty |
| predatory |
| ogre |
| provocation |
| gory |
| sadist |
| fathead |
| nightstick |
| cellulite |
| vindictive |
| prostrate |
| hearsay |
| lifer |
| neurological |
| stupidity |
| conspire |
| fleabag |
| jeopardy |
| heathen |
| lone |
| menopause |
| sickle |
| warhead |
| fucker |
| creepy |
| cryptic |
| disobey |
| vanish |
| pothole |
| infiltration |
| sludge |
| lousy |
| pestilence |
| pessimist |
| faker |
| scuff |
| booger |
| fatigued |
| grievance |
| nave |
| scorching |
| sour |
| flatulence |
| contusion |
| trouble |
| irritation |
| negro |
| mangle |
| inappropriate |
| shameful |
| perjury |
| impostor |
| tangle |
| guilt |
| tardy |
| atrocious |
| restless |
| cholera |
| hypocrisy |
| delude |
| untidy |
| distract |
| wrath |
| hostile |
| hazardous |
| pest |
| stinger |
| hooker |
| demented |
| vanishing |
| unbecoming |
| cranky |
| stockade |
| battering |
| litigator |
| shrunken |
| overworked |
| liquidate |
| yucky |
| spit |
| cheat |
| racist |
| overdue |
| pungent |
| malady |
| methane |
| deviant |
| sever |
| condescending |
| demolition |
| parole |
| parched |
| floozy |
| despise |
| cockeyed |
| crummy |
| lurch |
| revolver |
| irritate |
| antichrist |
| lose |
| dumb |
| loudmouth |
| quit |
| bulge |
| disturbing |
| altercation |
| militant |
| enraged |
| reckless |
| erratic |
| degrade |
| menace |
| addictive |
| coronary |
| hobo |
| pressure |
| indiscreet |
| zit |
| gaff |
| regression |
| bandage |
| peeper |
| inconsiderate |
| expense |
| chauvinist |
| disobedience |
| scrape |
| shortness |
| sledgehammer |
| unruly |
| discontinue |
| mucous |
| shove |
| indirect |
| cocksucker |
| destruct |
| electrocute |
| risky |
| snitch |
| noisy |
| carcass |
| overlord |
| hex |
| faulty |
| relinquish |
| rubble |
| unfeeling |
| obscenity |
| whip |
| vulture |
| regrettable |
| forfeit |
| impractical |
| gastric |
| scrounge |
| submit |
| switchblade |
| unfaithful |
| werewolf |
| schmuck |
| probing |
| rectal |
| dumpster |
| colonic |
| displease |
| aggravation |
| rant |
| bereaved |
| mistrust |
| masochist |
| smuggler |
| contempt |
| demolish |
| forgetful |
| taint |
| racket |
| charade |
| unfriendly |
| restraint |
| sully |
| lobbyist |
| sacrificial |
| racism |
| bash |
| filthy |
| meager |
| impeachment |
| miser |
| landfill |
| stinging |
| hate |
| intrusive |
| outraged |
| killing |
| squeamish |
| loss |
| billing |
| fake |
| insecticide |
| wannabe |
| pollute |
| corporation |
| detriment |
| intestinal |
| jagged |
| infuriating |
| ominous |
| overreact |
| poop |
| ripper |
| gallows |
| forbid |
| meanie |
| insulting |
| disdainful |
| blackface |
| insensitive |
| inhibition |
| disagreeable |
| slump |
| estranged |
| shrew |
| methadone |
| oncologist |
| morbid |
| distressing |
| biter |
| traitorous |
| cramp |
| guilty |
| indignity |
| unwilling |
| shanty |
| brittle |
| refuse |
| bondsman |
| leech |
| alone |
| mold |
| spill |
| bald |
| dump |
| scram |
| bowel |
| rusty |
| manure |
| scandalous |
| complicate |
| blab |
| blister |
| kaput |
| pity |
| disabled |
| porker |
| bigotry |
| pistol |
| deadline |
| tension |
| warden |
| womanizer |
| sweaty |
| stuffy |
| undignified |
| lewd |
| feces |
| clench |
| loser |
| wreak |
| calamity |
| bicker |
| stingy |
| canker |
| uptight |
| oedipal |
| agitate |
| appalling |
| livid |
| cut |
| obesity |
| urine |
| artificial |
| suppress |
| paranoia |
| slug |
| malice |
| blade |
| outnumber |
| gargoyle |
| pariah |
| discrimination |
| shatter |
| trickery |
| sullen |
| negligent |
| tuition |
| wasteland |
| remorse |
| anarchist |
| sedition |
| faithless |
| possum |
| lag |
| clod |
| deceive |
| barbed |
| retaliate |
| scratchy |
| hypodermic |
| impede |
| bitter |
| disciplinary |
| jockstrap |
| prick |
| shameless |
| tacky |
| waste |
| honky |
| goddamn |
| shit |
| hungry |
| combative |
| improper |
| spic |
| bribe |
| phooey |
| leaky |
| scold |
| blasphemy |
| sleazy |
| pitchfork |
| undermine |
| materialistic |
| inflict |
| contraband |
| smite |
| temperamental |
| temper |
| hang |
| brat |
| stain |
| beatnik |
| hapless |
| annihilate |
| fury |
| spanking |
| stigma |
| exterminator |
| bitterness |
| gross |
| disrupt |
| gouge |
| achy |
| superficial |
| incorrect |
| glum |
| ashamed |
| tamper |
| rogue |
| shattering |
| creep |
| friendless |
| lockup |
| shun |
| grope |
| volatile |
| obscene |
| arrogant |
| annoy |
| knucklehead |
| interrogate |
| apprehensive |
| banish |
| burner |
| occult |
| bolt |
| tuberculosis |
| muffler |
| difficulty |
| homesick |
| grouse |
| landlord |
| tubby |
| insignificant |
| goddamned |
| snarl |
| aggression |
| ordeal |
| detest |
| retrial |
| problematic |
| bullfighter |
| useless |
| misbehave |
| abolish |
| displace |
| snuff |
| drainage |
| scorpion |
| shoot |
| snippy |
| fumble |
| poacher |
| exclude |
| copycat |
| infomercial |
| consequence |
| farewell |
| infantry |
| negligible |
| weenie |
| fight |
| prostitution |
| jealous |
| patronizing |
| fib |
| vulgar |
| purge |
| vermin |
| bloodthirsty |
| thankless |
| funk |
| girdle |
| whiny |
| knockoff |
| gynecologist |
| costly |
| rambling |
| undergo |
| irrelevant |
| opium |
| overkill |
| mistake |
| tattletale |
| criticize |
| FALSE |
| splat |
| abnormal |
| dentist |
| retribution |
| obstruct |
| withholding |
| dusty |
| seedy |
| disability |
| puss |
| distort |
| sneaky |
| scheme |
| foolhardy |
| forger |
| sacrilege |
| pusher |
| interfere |
| sect |
| lethal |
| illegal |
| tense |
| dunce |
| lie |
| shifty |
| hellish |
| stutter |
| spinal |
| whimper |
| blubber |
| spittoon |
| lump |
| trashy |
| abortion |
| brawl |
| ungodly |
| bossy |
| traitor |
| windbag |
| whine |
| fail |
| dissatisfied |
| spoils |
| goon |
| ungrateful |
| scowl |
| cadaver |
| gunnery |
| bum |
| inject |
| intolerant |
| ravage |
| tattler |
| repel |
| resistant |
| smug |
| spank |
| quarrel |
| prickly |
| trample |
| jackhammer |
| psychiatric |
| stink |
| shoplifting |
| rubbish |
| housework |
| pretender |
| loathe |
| bandit |
| weasel |
| pinch |
| unending |
| marijuana |
| discoloration |
| tarot |
| grand theft auto |
| cruel |
| libel |
| malicious |
| strikeout |
| slap |
| meddle |
| transsexual |
| vice |
| ratty |
| indict |
| swine |
| disgusting |
| bury |
| witch |
| cynicism |
| overload |
| ludicrous |
| offence |
| impersonal |
| snot |
| paramilitary |
| shooter |
| treachery |
| hater |
| overrated |
| snob |
| cynic |
| hypocritical |
| exhume |
| sickbay |
| rescind |
| unlikely |
| alarm clock |
| pigheaded |
| squander |
| err |
| hangman |
| rigid |
| raggedy |
| messy |
| hothead |
| gritty |
| contradict |
| pathology |
| hassle |
| ignore |
| hovel |
| dim |
| jerk |
| disgust |
| hacksaw |
| disconcerting |
| nab |
| unkind |
| beater |
| screwy |
| bimbo |
| destructive |
| aggravate |
| pry |
| hypocrite |
| monoxide |
| overprotective |
| brunt |
| displacement |
| shoplifter |
| freakish |
| starving |
| reek |
| bailiff |
| junky |
| overgrown |
| detain |
| caution |
| junk |
| pinhead |
| scum |
| unlawful |
| polygraph |
| fibrosis |
| lowdown |
| weapon |
| scoundrel |
| siren |
| screech |
| rough |
| uncompromising |
| avoidance |
| overdo |
| vascular |
| confound |
| hefty |
| aids |
| whore |
| throbbing |
| dingy |
| drone |
| smear |
| materialism |
| promiscuous |
| mad |
| perverse |
| backhand |
| misuse |
| obstinate |
| annul |
| dogface |
| smoker |
| concubine |
| wretch |
| parting |
| dissection |
| grunt |
| disruptive |
| cyanide |
| toil |
| oblivion |
| workaholic |
| narcissistic |
| problem |
| selfishness |
| unsympathetic |
| suspicion |
| warlock |
| extermination |
| eradicate |
| fist |
| cynical |
| solicit |
| unwise |
| hash |
| dodo |
| baron |
| surly |
| crawl |
| frown |
| detached |
| smut |
| cavity |
| miscalculation |
| boogie |
| anus |
| covert |
| shady |
| handout |
| bored |
| grease |
| exploitation |
| warlord |
| monster |
| undead |
| transgression |
| spook |
| slimy |
| revoke |
| dishonest |
| flee |
| detonation |
| trespass |
| bootleg |
| arrogance |
| infidel |
| heartbreaker |
| lurk |
| urination |
| sneer |
| gripe |
| displeased |
| horseshit |
| symptom |
| stubborn |
| cutoff |
| bog |
| rattler |
| animosity |
| execute |
| heretic |
| failure |
| scornful |
| nosy |
| prowl |
| stretcher |
| wrinkled |
| windpipe |
| bowels |
| steroid |
| merciless |
| dirty |
| defibrillator |
| troublesome |
| thrash |
| hick |
| discriminate |
| cigarette |
| gizzard |
| breech |
| grumpy |
| triage |
| rid |
| insemination |
| gunner |
| chore |
| squish |
| crabby |
| meanness |
| complain |
| invalid |
| tar |
| freak |
| smack |
| unreasonable |
| brutish |
| crass |
| cagey |
| hurl |
| unhealthy |
| flawed |
| ventilator |
| disagreement |
| prosecutor |
| blemish |
| prosecute |
| needle |
| coercion |
| untrue |
| spiteful |
| anger |
| prognosis |
| battlements |
| turnoff |
| carnage |
| scrounger |
| hit |
| curse |
| garbage |
| apathy |
| horrible |
| dissect |
| ruin |
| godless |
| homework |
| misconduct |
| burial |
| pawn |
| wary |
| devious |
| pager |
| reluctant |
| scat |
| witchcraft |
| offensive |
| mock |
| crank |
| rehab |
| dubious |
| toxicology |
| cease |
| unrelenting |
| eject |
| grudge |
| seize |
| egomaniac |
| mite |
| ornery |
| mooch |
| idiotic |
| discourse |
| auditor |
| alleyway |
| aggressiveness |
| severity |
| shame |
| binge |
| contradiction |
| iffy |
| standoff |
| overhear |
| douse |
| disapprove |
| peeved |
| heartless |
| insolence |
| stickler |
| hairy |
| egotistical |
| blackness |
| vendetta |
| antics |
| hoard |
| evasion |
| snooty |
| bandwagon |
| grievous |
| punch |
| skeptical |
| hoax |
| smoky |
| possessive |
| rift |
| disapproval |
| cocky |
| jailbreak |
| strict |
| gut |
| uneducated |
| cancellation |
| controlling |
| troublemaker |
| recant |
| pretentious |
| striker |
| hunt |
| impure |
| yap |
| contradictory |
| bout |
| malnutrition |
| bee |
| beware |
| weak |
| wrongdoing |
| restraining |
| selfish |
| plaque |
| oversight |
| unethical |
| menial |
| mistress |
| antisocial |
| arraignment |
| begrudge |
| pouty |
| kerosene |
| domination |
| petroleum |
| enforcer |
| rumor |
| impose |
| sly |
| spew |
| grouchy |
| slay |
| manipulation |
| syringe |
| overthrow |
| overtake |
| euthanasia |
| pending |
| tasteless |
| promiscuity |
| crack |
| jab |
| bunghole |
| rectum |
| ditch |
| retaliation |
| bias |
| blues |
| blob |
| disagree |
| blatant |
| loner |
| rebellious |
| weaponry |
| noise |
| suck |
| testy |
| issue |
| profanity |
| surveillance |
| eliminate |
| aggressive |
| vicious |
| stealing |
| chlorine |
| scuffle |
| groan |
| drag |
| breaker |
| pout |
| forceful |
| attorney |
| glare |
| executor |
| tampon |
| latex |
| axe |
| brute |
| seducer |
| supremacy |
| sue |
| bigmouth |
| traffic |
| stern |
| scorch |
| penniless |
| indignant |
| busybody |
| frigid |
| quitter |
| extraction |
| holler |
| conviction |
| battle |
| regret |
| piss |
| oil |
| mullet |
| argument |
| takeover |
| skeletal |
| jaded |
| capitalism |
| sinner |
| splinter |
| tear |
| prissy |
| litter |
| impeach |
| diva |
| deniability |
| revenge |
| pluck |
| sin |
| manipulate |
| scalp |
| intimidate |
| shock |
| complicated |
| gaudy |
| hitter |
| dislike |
| inquest |
| cancel |
| insurance |
| stubbornness |
| ban |
| forceps |
| serial |
| coerce |
| affair |
| weight |
| period |
| picky |
| irrigation |
| conceal |
| gloat |
| resist |
| speeding |
| deactivate |
| expensive |
| medication |
| roughneck |
| toilet |
| stomp |
| warning |
Joy = high valence, medium arousal, high dominance
| paradise |
| incredible |
| completion |
| smile |
| successful |
| rejoice |
| thinker |
| tranquility |
| friendly |
| triumph |
| upbeat |
| genuine |
| shower |
| skilled |
| jolly |
| excellence |
| courageous |
| genius |
| freedom |
| goodness |
| excited |
| honeymoon |
| admire |
| relaxing |
| cheerful |
| nutritious |
| liberating |
| delight |
| faithful |
| trustworthy |
| giver |
| enjoy |
| accomplish |
| smiley |
| courage |
| positive |
| eat |
| approve |
| courteous |
| fabulous |
| excellent |
| fantastic |
| happy |
| knowledge |
| knowledgeable |
| wonderful |
| graduate |
| dedication |
| achievement |
| peace |
| brilliant |
| fancy |
| right |
| original |
| bookstore |
| stimulate |
| spirited |
| wisdom |
| awesome |
| inspire |
| weekend |
| opportunity |
| vacation |
| meal |
| independence |
| merry |
| proud |
| capable |
| determination |
| nourish |
| happiness |
| joyful |
| treasured |
| gorgeous |
| silver |
| fun |
| confident |
| liberty |
| laughter |
| create |
| celebration |
| joy |
| clever |
| TRUE |
| enjoyable |
| loyalty |
| monogamous |
| favorite |
| grateful |
| optimistic |
| healthy |
| glad |
| secure |
| victory |
| friendship |
| charming |
| song |
| wellness |
| trust |
| cleanliness |
| kindness |
| truth |
| admired |
| agree |
| magnificence |
| imagine |
| super |
| fruitful |
| award |
| optimism |
| affectionate |
| appreciative |
| bull |
| bull |
| lively |
| artistic |
| compassionate |
| wise |
| outstanding |
| beloved |
| extraordinary |
| dignity |
| brave |
| bedroom |
| yummy |
| peaceful |
| pleased |
| amazing |
| heroism |
| snuggle |
| lovable |
| bake |
| breakfast |
| adorable |
| travel |
| confidant |
| fondness |
| playful |
| generous |
| attractive |
| harmonious |
| stereo |
| useful |
| smart |
| humorous |
| amuse |
| hug |
| loyal |
| mate |
| discover |
| heroic |
| creativity |
| amusing |
| educate |
| receive |
| helpful |
| easy |
| overjoyed |
| hope |
| creative |
| optimist |
| intelligent |
| brighten |
| euphoric |
| home |
| pleasurable |
| delightful |
| prosperous |
| sweetheart |
| fanciful |
| greatness |
| humor |
| heavenly |
| earn |
| merciful |
| homemade |
| truthful |
| euphoria |
| satisfying |
| donation |
| intelligence |
| congratulations |
| pictures |
| thanks |
| reliable |
| smooch |
| noble |
| pretty |
| entertain |
| lunchtime |
| incentive |
| upgrade |
| honest |
| enthusiasm |
| splendid |
| cozy |
| congratulation |
| fortune |
| loved |
| leisure |
| volunteer |
| sing |
| fantasize |
| great |
| cuddle |
| brilliance |
| superb |
| soup |
| appreciation |
| selfless |
| majestic |
| passionate |
| luxurious |
| relieve |
| summer |
| achieve |
| affection |
| mentor |
| intimacy |
| amusement |
| clarity |
| embrace |
| bite |
| hopeful |
| honorable |
| bite |
| bravery |
| witty |
| praise |
| mistletoe |
| massage |
| enjoyment |
| applause |
| intellectual |
| generosity |
| charitable |
| energize |
| festive |
| prosperity |
| ability |
| exquisite |
| thankful |
| imagination |
| flawless |
| seasoned |
| radiant |
| wealth |
| perfect |
| dreamer |
| kiss |
| explore |
| music |
| free |
| accomplishment |
| live |
Surprise = high valence, high arousal, medium dominance
| meteorite |
| supernova |
| surprising |
| rollercoaster |
| pregnant |
| mermaid |
| jackpot |
| horny |
| attraction |
| irresistible |
| surprised |
| spouse |
| giggle |
| tide |
| galactic |
| sibling |
| twosome |
| cosmic |
| seduction |
| fertile |
| crackerjack |
| libido |
| romance |
| birth |
| breast |
| girlfriend |
| inheritance |
| phenomenon |
| daughter |
| dollar |
| wedding |
| prosper |
| sunny |
| superman |
| sparkly |
| surreal |
| sacred |
| childbirth |
| unicorn |
| surprise |
| dragon |
| erection |
| brewing |
| child |
| kissy |
| nakedness |
| enchantment |
| woof |
| new |
| astonishing |
| loveliness |
| firstborn |
| miracle |
| cartoon |
| girl |
| fiesta |
| magical |
| scent |
| cha cha |
| mystique |
| magic |
| lucky |
| exploration |
| kisser |
| popcorn |
| concert |
| payoff |
| pizzazz |
| football |
| engaged |
| musical |
| sunshine |
| heart |
| jet |
| raise |
| arty |
| enchanting |
| compatibility |
| ecstasy |
| breathtaking |
| shimmer |
| delicacy |
| intriguing |
| future |
| payday |
| gourmet |
| comedy |
| optimum |
| flirty |
| grin |
| luscious |
| barbecue |
| liberation |
| festival |
| fireworks |
| romp |
| grill |
| diamond |
| comical |
| scintillating |
| exotic |
| outgoing |
| profit |
| marry |
| caffeine |
| pretzel |
| earth |
| musician |
| virtuoso |
| beach |
| adventurous |
| chuckle |
| correspondence |
| adrenaline |
| goofy |
| millionaire |
| dessert |
| dog |
| princess |
| exhilarating |
| profitable |
| voluptuous |
| quickie |
| senorita |
| hero |
| illuminating |
| excite |
| joke |
| eclipse |
| mystical |
| gold |
| flirt |
| energetic |
| superpower |
| star |
| million |
| superhero |
| pride |
| extravaganza |
| adventurer |
| swimming |
| relationship |
| amaze |
| orgasm |
| game |
| entertainment |
| unforgettable |
| cocktail |
| premium |
| pizzeria |
| survival |
| speedboat |
| drink |
| lingerie |
| wildlife |
| cake |
| chocolate |
| perk |
| succulent |
| life |
| citizenship |
| running |
| lasagna |
| ravishing |
| spring |
| booby |
| manhood |
| applaud |
| newlywed |
| party |
| love |
| complimentary |
| softness |
| cinema |
| rescue |
| thrilling |
| vibrant |
| shine |
| shimmy |
| sexy |
| intercourse |
| youthful |
| motherhood |
| exclamation |
| glisten |
| enchanted |
| fruity |
| promotion |
| dinnertime |
| fascination |
| companionship |
| cute |
| endurance |
| spectacular |
| treasure |
| phenomenal |
| queen |
| freebie |
| payout |
| limitless |
| willpower |
| triumphant |
| fiancee |
| desire |
| scholarship |
| thrill |
| mind |
| succeed |
| arouse |
| riches |
| amazed |
| sophistication |
| admiration |
| bargain |
| trip |
| lucrative |
| soar |
| athletic |
| celebrate |
| coffee |
| fortuitous |
| spontaneous |
| christmas |
| compliment |
| bestseller |
| desirable |
| pleasing |
| cash |
| dazzling |
| prize |
| souvenir |
| sex |
| beautiful |
| flourish |
| fascinating |
| seduce |
| tasty |
| bonus |
| shindig |
| stimulating |
| cheery |
| climax |
| enthusiastic |
| elope |
| feast |
| lovemaking |
| advantageous |
| delighted |
| nintendo |
| passion |
| frisky |
| puppy |
| value |
| internet |
| joyous |
| discovery |
| voyage |
| adore |
| sensuality |
| admirer |
| terrific |
| macaroni |
| dance |
| charisma |
| intimate |
| buttocks |
| engagement |
| espresso |
| originality |
| sensual |
| justice |
| money |
| hilarious |
| fascinate |
| matrimony |
| overcome |
| emerald |
| sugar |
| cocoa |
| exceptional |
| excitement |
| zoo |
| reward |
| satisfy |
| funny |
| fantasy |
| jubilee |
| adventure |
| lover |
| enlightening |
| sensational |
| cheer |
| reunite |
| innovation |
| advancement |
| success |
| soulful |
| creation |
| fairy |
| spirit |
| bright |
| championship |
| sightseeing |
| jazz |
| female |
| hire |
| perfection |
| engage |
| amazement |
| entertaining |
| edible |
| romantic |
| candy |
| swim |
| qualify |
| comedian |
| music |
| billion |
| free |
| summertime |