In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions

Here, it said, wearing a kid grin, was a very personable character, clean-cut, affable, a fellow any man might trust to shave him. In Cold Blood

But Bowser could appoint new and aggressive leaders in other city agencies, where Gray’s appointees have tended to be more cautious. Washington Post

The bald guy looked extremely nervous and agitated. Hoot

The more vigilant Allen was, the more resentful and alienated Nicholas became, and the worse things got. Class Matters

White was amazed when around 500 people showed up. Washington Times (Nov 9, 2014)

Patrick was a bright, amiable, undaunted fellow with whom we got along very well. Long Walk to Freedom

"I can tell you, he's keeping his doctors amused." US News (Nov 6, 2014)

When rumors have circulated that officers were about to clear the site, Chan has sought to calm anxious protesters. Los Angeles Times (Nov 12, 2014)

“And some people are able to inspire otherwise apathetic young people to vote.” Forbes (Oct 21, 2014)

Then, ashamed and embarrassed, he disappeared under a duvet and grieved. BBC (Nov 4, 2014)

"Oh my God," he sputters, clearly astonished by the claim. BBC (Oct 18, 2014)

One awareness patient, formerly a jazz aficionado, developed a bizarre aversion to the style after an awareness experience.  Scientific American (Nov 11, 2014)

Nebeker’s deliberate avoidance of facial detail keeps the focus on the images’ charged atmospheres rather than the characters involved. Seattle Times (Mar 13, 2013)

She seemed dazed, bewildered by this sudden news about Baker. Rebecca

Brother Jim usually got bored and asked to be excused, but I always stayed, fascinated by their tales. October Sky

He flew about his tasks, buoyant with triumph and overflowing with energy. The Golden Goblet

“He was a suspicious, cantankerous, bitter, angry man.” New York Times (Oct 31, 2015)

She knew where I was confident and where I was less sure, and she believed in me. Courage to Soar

It took a second for this to register; her face was confused at first, and then the realization of what Moss meant grew, lighting up her eyes, her mouth slowly dropping open. Anger Is a Gift

"To share in this way is courageous, powerful and generous," Dunham tweeted at the time, adding a link to Dylan Farrow's letter. Seattle Times (Nov 4, 2014)

The knight's moon face looked crestfallen, the tips of his great walrus mustache twitching with disappointment. A Clash of Kings

Try not to be too critical when assessing students' first drafts, but do focus on key places where they can improve.

Men were now trudging away from the shapeups at the other slaughterhouses, looking dejected and hopeless. A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919

The owner was delighted and said it was the happiest day of his life. Stuart Little

“You’ve been angry and depressed. You seem to be getting worse.” Boy21

I watched her fall convincingly into poverty and despair, once abandoned by the wicked count—who was the prologue speaker in his black cloak. Atonement

Instead of making him more likable, it made him more detestable and he ended up becoming passive-aggressive. Salon (Oct 19, 2014)

The shaking lasted for four minutes with the usual devastating effects to property. A Short History of Nearly Everything

She lets her face fall into a disappointed scowl. Ask the Passengers

With thoughts like these I was chafed and perplexed, and they rendered me gloomy and disconsolate. Washington Times (Dec 28, 2015)

But, like many physicists of his generation, he became disillusioned with physics as a result of seeing its application to the war. The Scientists

The more horrible the crime, the more stunned, shocked, and dismayed is the tranquil city in which it happens; the more helpless are the citizens before it. Native Son

"It appears some disrespectful cowards spray painted their tagging crew and tagger names over the memorial," the police department stated on its Facebook page. Los Angeles Times (Nov 11, 2014)

They are silent and distant—always alone, always wary. An Ember in the Ashes

She was distracted and distraught, depressed and weak. Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers

Hermione bore up reasonably well on those nights when they managed to scavenge nothing but berries or stale biscuits, her temper perhaps a little shorter than usual and her silences rather dour. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I was truly dumbfounded by this deep fury that possessed her whenever she looked at me. Black Like Me

I understood the idea, I was eager to learn more. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

He sprang up, a smallish man, high-spirited and ebullient. Americanah

When she heard about his plans for the conference and the official naming of Henrietta Lacks Day, she was ecstatic: finally, a scientist was honoring her mother. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

I laugh with them, all of us elated. Five Feet Apart

Together, they embrace then pull apart as if embarrassed by the physical closeness. Seattle Times (Nov 10, 2014)

He tumbled lifelessly through July, feeling as dry and empty as the cicada husks on the trees. Wringer

He was one of those energetic teachers who loved his subject half to death and leaped about the room dramatically, waving his arms and clutching his chest and whomping people on the back. Walk Two Moons

He felt enraged, violent, on the edge of explosion. Unbroken

He started toward the staircase with a jaunty and exhilarated air. Catch-22

And then, seeing what he carried, she exclaimed; her face ignited with elfin, exuberant glee. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

I was thrown off, confused, flabbergasted, and to put it simply—shocked. The Freedom Writers Diary

“If someone talks about using force, I am frightened,” she said. New York Times (Nov 9, 2014)

"But it still make me sad that I can’t speak well. I call my interpreter when I get frustrated." Reuters (Nov 12, 2014)

Loki was furious, seeing much of his dinner about to be devoured, and he struck at the eagle with his spear, hoping to force it to drop its plundered food. Norse Mythology

I felt so guilty that most of the time I tried to avoid him completely. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

He is hesitant around me, kind of respectfully shy. The Help

He was hopeful, then, when Mr. Rutger, the orphanage director, informed him late that evening that Miss Perumal’s mother was considerably improved. The Mysterious Benedict Society

Belligerent student protests were firing up the already hostile attitude inside the school. Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High

He stated that Leah was a shameful and inadequate vessel for God’s will, and that was why he would no longer even stoop to punishing her when she needed it. The Poisonwood Bible

Our neighbors seemed fairly indifferent to our reduced circumstances, as they were occupied with their own. The Poisonwood Bible

The Colvins lived in King Hill, a neighborhood that meant “poor” or “inferior” to most who didn’t live there. Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

The passage of the Molasses Act so infuriated the American colonists that for the first time the phrase “no taxation without representation” became a rallying cry. 1919 The Year That Changed America

Ethyne was an inquisitive child, and once she knew that her elder brother was one of the babies sacrificed, she was filled with questions. The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Their ruthless comments shaped my personality and turned me into a shy, insecure, quiet girl. The Freedom Writers Diary

In the huge Colosseum, with thousands of cheering ghosts, the god Bacchus staring down at him, and the two twelve-foot giants looming over him, Percy felt as small and insignificant as a bug. The Mark of Athena

An inspired musician with considerable natural talent, Walt still plays professionally from time to time. Into the Wild

While it was understandable that the press might be interested in these things, I nevertheless found their curiosity difficult to satisfy. Long Walk to Freedom

The couple grew so intimate that the woman promised she would move to New York in six months. New York Times (Nov 7, 2014)

I saw nothing but horror stories about how he was controlling and irascible and unpredictable and moody. Seattle Times (May 25, 2013)

Her voice sounds irritated and impatient, like some of Dad’s tenured colleagues at school who Dad says are just counting the days till retirement. If I Stay

At the same time, those who performed experiments ceased to be lonely and isolated individuals; they became members of an experimental network. The Invention of Science

She was jealous even of the women who liked him, imagining how much attention he got here in Lagos, good-looking as he was, and now also wealthy. Americanah

His laughter was so infectious and jubilant, she couldn’t help but be taken in. The Serpent King

This is terribly judgmental, but he was such a nerd. Time (Jan 12, 2011)

Under the United States occupation, Ms. Takamine flourished in the sort of roles — modern, liberated women — encouraged by the American authorities as a break with imperial traditions. New York Times (Jan 3, 2011)

His eyes snapped open and looked at her, and there was nothing but loathing there, nothing but the vilest contempt. A Game of Thrones

I was all alone, and felt lonely and sad. Where the Red Fern Grows

In New Orleans, the air is dark, the mood lugubrious. New York Times (Apr 14, 2017)

But that don’t sound right, so I try Miss Cook, my daddy got mad when I wasn’t doing my schoolwork and ripped up this book. Finding Langston

She said the talks were going well and she felt optimistic that progress could be made. BBC (Nov 12, 2014)

She was a bit perplexed, however, as to why Harry would choose a place so far away, on the North Side, when there were so many lovely homes in Englewood. The Devil in the White City

Richard’s temperament made it easier—he was a happy kid, always dancing and singing, playful and silly. The 57 Bus

Even the powerful president of the University of North Carolina in neighboring Chapel Hill was not immune from these attacks. The Best of Enemies

And I tell myself I'm proud of myself for being so mentally strong, so tough-minded. Things Not Seen

If anything, they encouraged Alice Paul and her allies to stage more provocative protests that attracted larger crowds and led to more arrests. Votes for Women!

It's simply impossible for me to 'belong' to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. The Guardian (Jul 30, 2010)

In a statement, Chow said the running back was “contrite, embarrassed and remorseful.” Washington Times (Oct 15, 2014)

“I think paisley is detestable and should be banned until the end of time. Same goes for pastel-colored clothing. Oh, and khakis are repugnant.” I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

This is how we, the electorate, are being described: sour, dyspeptic, demoralized, disgusted, rebellious, frustrated, resentful, angry. Seattle Times (Nov 7, 2014)

I waited for her to hit me with a sarcastic comeback, something that would slap me like an invisible hand across the face. Auggie & Me

I was so scared I’d get lost, sweat prickled under my arms. Finding Langston

Nervous and completely lacking in empathy, he was so sensitive to criticism that he retreated into a shell of moody silence when anyone attacked his work. Salon (Mar 23, 2014)

The change was so sudden that I was shocked, and a little scared. Rebecca

But Hunt was skeptical and not shy about expressing his doubts. The Devil in the White City

Then Wang Lung was humbled and anxious and he was submissive and he was sorry and he said, “Let it be only as you wish and forever.” The Good Earth

He became sullen, resentful, angry, and his memory seemed to be blown away. The Hot Zone

As always, she’s suspicious, but I’m able to convince her after some coaxing and whining. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Halfway up the lake, just as he started to step over a log, he was absolutely terrified by an explosion under his feet. Hatchet

He was uneasy and disturbed by the slinking gray shape that merged into the undergrowth every time he looked back to snarl at it. The Incredible Journey

The big eyes and lips said: I’m young and vulnerable, I can’t hurt you, and you want to protect me. Uglies

These days he is quieter and more withdrawn. First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

Officials were worried about retaliation after the attack, and so we were given an opportunity to leave the country and start anew. How Dare the Sun Rise

“It reminds me, too, of how worthless I was. Am. How I couldn’t protect my work family. Not then. How I can’t protect my family now. Look at this place.” Towers Falling