Synonyms: Emotional

These words describe intense feelings and people who experience them. For more synonym lists, explore our Say What You Mean resources.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. ardent
    characterized by intense emotion
    Papa was an ardent Democrat but mama just didn’t care. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
    The Latin word ardentem comes from the verb ardere, meaning "to burn." Ardent feelings are fiery and passionate.
  2. emotive
    characterized by feeling
    The expressive, emotive features on this album create a real response in the listener, from familiarity to icy discomfort. Time (Nov 8, 2011)
  3. fervent
    characterized by intense emotion
    Three of the mates and more than three-quarters of the crew were fervent worshipers of the Lord of Light. A Dance with Dragons
    Fervent is very close to ardent — including the sense of extreme heat — because its Latin root fervere means "to boil" or "to glow."
  4. fervid
    characterized by intense emotion
    This mad machine is exactly the kind of fervid fantasy that will inspire the next round of car designers. The Verge (Mar 1, 2016)
    Fervid comes from the Latin root fervere, as does the word fever.
  5. histrionic
    overly dramatic or emotional
    “Help me, sir,” Ignatius slobbered, grabbing histrionically at the lapels of Mr. Levy’s sports jacket. A Confederacy of Dunces
    Histrionicus means "of the theater" in Latin, so histrionic behavior is a little like overacting — highly emotional and dramatic.
  6. impassioned
    characterized by intense emotion
    She wrote impassioned letters to the editor; she signed petitions to end the draft. Little Fires Everywhere
  7. maudlin
    very sentimental or emotional
    As he proceeded he worked himself up to a tone of maudlin solemnity. Cahan, Abraham
    Maudlin means highly emotional in a phony or overdone way.
  8. mawkish
    very sentimental or emotional
    While unbearably sad — but also beautiful — at times, the show is not mawkish or manipulative. New York Times (Aug 1, 2016)
    Mawkish is close to maudlin — emotional in an off-putting, fake way.
  9. overwrought
    deeply agitated especially from emotion
    “Yes, I must. He’s upset and overwrought and it’s not light yet. There may be elil, whatever Strawberry says.” Watership Down: A Novel
  10. poignant
    keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
    The result is a gripping, poignant and in some respects revolutionary contribution to European history. Economist (May 14, 2015)
    Poignant is French, meaning "pointed" or "piercing," like a spear or arrow. Something poignant — like a very sad movie — hurts the heart emotionally, but not physically.
Created on Tue Sep 08 11:42:19 EDT 2020 (updated Mon Mar 22 17:36:52 EDT 2021)

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