Emotion Words

Needs and Feelings

The following are words we use when we want to express a combination of emotional states and physical sensations. This list is neither exhaustive nor definitive. It is meant as a starting place to support anyone who wishes to engage in a process of deepening self-discovery and to facilitate greater understanding and connection between people.

There are two parts to this list: feelings we may have when our needs are being met and feelings we may have when our needs are not being met. Following the lists of feelings there is a list of needs.

(Acknowledgement is given to the Centre for Non-Violent Communication for this information) 

Words describing how we might feel when our needs are met:

AFFECTIONATE

compassionate

friendly

loving

open hearted

sympathetic

tender

HOPEFUL

expectant

encouraged

optimistic

JOYFUL

amused

delighted

glad

happy

jubilant

pleased

tickled

INSPIRED

amazed

awed

wonder

ENGAGED

absorbed

alert

curious

engrossed

enchanted

entranced

fascinated

interested

intrigued

involved

spellbound

stimulated

EXHILARATED

blissful

ecstatic

elated

enthralled

exuberant

radiant

rapturous

thrilled

CONFIDENT

empowered

open

proud

safe

secure

PEACEFUL

calm

clear headed

comfortable

centered

content

equanimous

fulfilled

mellow

quiet

relaxed

relieved

satisfied

serene

still

tranquil

trusting

EXCITED

amazed

animated

ardent

aroused

astonished

dazzled

eager

energetic

enthusiastic

giddy

invigorated

lively

passionate

surprised

vibrant

GRATEFUL

appreciative

moved

thankful

touched

REFRESHED

enlivened

rejuvenated

renewed

rested

restored

revived

Words describing how we may feel when our needs are NOT met:

AFRAID

Apprehensive

Dread

foreboding

frightened

mistrustful

panicked

petrified

scared

suspicious

terrified

wary

worried

ANNOYED

aggravated

dismayed

disgruntled

displeased

exasperated

frustrated

impatient

irritated

irked

ANGRY

enraged

furious

incensed

indignant

irate

livid

outraged

AVERSION

animosity

appalled

contempt

disgusted

dislike

hate

horrified

hostile

repulsed

CONFUSED

ambivalent

baffled

bewildered

dazed

hesitant

lost

mystified

perplexed

puzzled

torn

DISCONNECTED

alienated

aloof

apathetic

bored

cold

detached

distant

distracted

indifferent

numb

removed

uninterested

withdrawn

DISQUIET

agitated

alarmed

discombobulated

disconcerted

disturbed

perturbed

rattled

restless

shocked

startled

surprised

troubled

turbulent

turmoil

uncomfortable

uneasy

unnerved

unsettled

upse

EMBARRASSED

ashamed

chagrined

flustered

guilty

mortified

self-conscious

FATIGUE

beat

burnt out

depleted

exhausted

lethargic

listless

sleepy

tired

weary

worn out

PAIN

agony

anguished

bereaved

devastated

grief

heartbroken

hurt

lonely

miserable

regretful

remorseful

SAD

depressed

dejected

despair

despondent

disappointed

discouraged

disheartened

forlorn

gloomy

heavy hearted

hopeless

melancholy

unhappy

wretched

TENSE

anxious

cranky

distressed

distraught

edgy

fidgety

frazzled

irritable

jittery

nervous

overwhelmed

restless

stressed out

VULNERABLE

fragile

guarded

helpless

insecure

leery

reserved

sensitive

shaky

YEARNING

envious

jealous

longing

nostalgic pining

wistful

List of Human Needs ( Non-exhaustive)

CONNECTION

acceptance

affection

appreciation

belonging

cooperation

communication

closeness

community

companionship

compassion

consideration

consistency

empathy

inclusion

intimacy

love

mutuality

nurturing

respect/self-respect

safety

security

stability

support

to know and be known

to see and be seen

to understand and be understood

trust

warmth

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

air

food

movement/exercise

rest/sleep

sexual expression

safety

shelter

touch

water

HONESTY

authenticity

integrity

presence

PLAY

joy

humor

AUTONOMY

choice

freedom

independence

space

spontaneity

PEACE

beauty

communion

ease

equality

harmony

inspiration

order

MEANING

Awareness

celebration of

life

challenge

clarity

competence

consciousness c

ontribution

creativity

discovery

efficacy

effectiveness

growth

hope

learning

mourning

participation

purpose

self-expression

stimulation

to matter

understanding