C

caged

Trapped; confined in a cage.

cagey

Self-interested and shrewd in dealing with others.

cajoled

Persuasively flattered.

calculating

Acting with a specific goal.

callous

Insensitive and cruel toward others.

callousness

A lack of passion or feeling; hardheartedness.

callow

Young and inexperienced.

calm

Steady and without agitation; tranquil.

calmed down

Quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation.

calmness

Steadiness of mind under stress.

camaraderie

Mutual trust and friendship.

canny

Shrewd and having good judgment.

cantankerous

Unwilling to cooperate.

capability

An aptitude that may be developed.

capable

Qualified to do things well.

capricious

Characterized by sudden and unaccountable changes of mood.

captious

Prone to petty objections.

captivated

Strongly interested in someone or something.

captivating

Attractive and engaging; charming.

captivation

Great liking for something wonderful and unusual.

captive

Held in the grip of a strong emotion or passion.

captured

Confined or controlled by force.

care

Concern or interest in someone or something.

carefree

Free of trouble, worry, and care; cheerfully irresponsible.

careful

Cautiously attentive.

careless

Lacking attention, consideration, forethought, or thoroughness; not careful.

carelessness

The quality of not being careful or taking pains; negligence.

caring

Having empathy for others.

castigated

Severely punished.

casual

Informal; without plan, effort, or strain.

catatonic

In a mental stupor; unresponsive.

categorized

Placed into or assigned to a category.

catty

Marked by or arising from malice.

caught

Seized, delayed, or held up.

cautious

Careful or guarded.

cavalier

Gallant or courtly.

censored

Suppressed by someone or something.

censorious

Harshly critical.

censure

Harsh criticism or disapproval.

censured

Formally rebuked.

centered

Stable and calm.

certain

Confident about something.

certainty

Trust in something.

chafed

Extremely irritated or angered.

chagrin

Distress due to the failure of something.

chagrined

Humiliated, ashamed, self-conscious, or ill at ease.

chained

Bound to something or someone.

challenged

Tested or disputed.

challenging

Difficult to communicate or work with.

changeable

Adaptable; capable of being changed.

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changed

Transformed into something different.

chaotic

Completely unordered, unpredictable, and confusing.

charged

Fraught with great emotion.

charismatic

Characterized by an extraordinary ability to attract.

charitable

Full of love and generosity.

charity

Kindly and lenient attitude toward people.

charm

Attractiveness that interests, pleases, or stimulates.

charmed

Strongly attracted; filled with wonder and delight.

charming

Pleasing or delighting.

chary

Greatly cautious and wary.

chaste

chastened

Disciplined or punished.

chastised

Severely censured.

chatty

Full of trivial conversation.

cheap

Embarrassingly stingy.

cheapened

Reduced in worth.

cheated

Deprived of something by deceit.

cheated on

Betrayed from infidelity of a significant other or lover.

cheeky

Offensively bold.

cheerful

Happy and optimistic.

cheerfulness

Spontaneous good spirits.

cheerless

Sad and gloomy.

cheery

Bright and pleasant.

cherish

To feel fondness and attachment to someone or something.

cherished

Fond affection for someone or something.

chic

Elegant and stylish.

chicken

Easily frightened.

chided

Censured severely or angrily.

childish

Lacking maturity.

childless

Without offspring.

childlike

Characteristic of a child in simplicity and credulity.

chill

Calm and content.

chipper

Cheerful, lively, and self-confident.

chirpy

Lively and lighthearted.

chivalrous

Courteous and attentive to another.

choked

Constricted in a way that prevents something from flowing freely.

choleric

Easily moved to anger.

chosen

Selected by someone or something.

chuffed

churlish

Rude and meanspirited.

circumspect

Heedful of potential consequences.

circumvented

Avoided or bypassed by someone or something.

civil

Adhering satisfactorily to social usages and sufficient (but not noteworthy) consideration for others.

civility

Formal or perfunctory politeness.

civilized

Refined in taste and manners.

clandestine

Secretive (sometimes to conceal illicit or deceptive purposes).

clarity

Free from obscurity and easy to understand.

classy

Elegant and fashionable.

claustrophobic

Abnormally afraid of a closed-in place or places.

clean

Free from impurities or restrictions or qualifications.

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cleansed

Purged of an ideology, bad thoughts, or sins.

clear

Free from confusion or doubt.

clenched

Tightly closed.

clever

Quick and resourceful.

clingy

Having a desire to hold on to something or someone.

cloistered

Private or secluded.

close

Intimate in relevance or relationship to someone or something.

closed

Shut down or shut off to new ideas, actions, commitments, or relationships.

closed in

Blocked or enclosed by something.

closed-minded

Lacking readiness or willingness to receive new ideas.

closeness

Intimacy and a feeling of belonging together.

clouded

Apprehensive or unclear about something.

cloudy

Lacking clarity or certainty.

clownish

Buffoonish, zany, or playful.

clued in

clueless

Totally uninformed about what is going on.

clumsy

coarse

Lacking refinement, cultivation, or taste.

coaxed

Influenced or urged by gentle persuasion, caressing, or flattering.

cocksure

Excessively confident.

cocky

Overly self-confident.

coddled

Treated with excessive indulgence.

codependent

Controlled or manipulated by another.

coerced

Persuaded by force or threat.

cold

Sexually unresponsive.

collaborative

Compelled to work with others.

collapsed

Broken down from fatigue, illness, or sudden attack.

collected

Gathered, organized, or ready.

colorful

Expressive, interesting, lively, and/or creative.

comatose

In a state of deep and usually prolonged unconsciousness.

combative

Characterized by an inclination to dispute or disagree; ready to fight.

comfort

Relaxation, relief, or satisfaction.

comfortable

Free from stress; peace of mind.

comforted

Relieved and supported by someone or something.

comfy

Relaxed and comfortable.

commanding

Exercising authoritative control or power over something or someone.

committed

Bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude.

common

Not special in distinction or quality.

commonplace

Completely ordinary and unremarkable.

communicative

Able or tending to communicate.

companionable

Ready and able for companionship; friendly and sociable.

companionship

The sensation of being with someone.

comparative

Related to, based on, or involving comparison.

compared

Considered or described as similar, equal, or analogous.

compassion

A deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering.

compassionate

Sympathetic and concerned for others.

compatibility

Sympathetic understanding.

compatible

Able to exist and perform in harmonious or agreeable combination.

compelled

Forced to do something.

competent

Properly or sufficiently qualified, capable, or efficient.

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competitive

Characterized by a fighting disposition.

competitiveness

An aggressive willingness to compete.

complacent

Content to a fault with oneself or one’s actions.

complementary

Combined in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or of another.

complete

Perfect and whole in every respect; having all necessary qualities.

complex

Difficult to analyze or understand.

compliant

Inclined to comply.

complicated

Difficult to analyze or understand.

complimentary

Having a desire to compliment.

complimented

Praised, respected, and/or esteemed.

composed

Free from agitation; calm and in control of oneself.

composure

Steadiness of mind under stress.

comprehension

An ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result).

compressed

The sensation of something squeezed or pressed together.

compromised

In danger, suspicion, or disrepute.

compromising

Mutually conceding or having a capacity to compromise.

compulsive

Feeling compelled to do certain things.

compunction

Deep regret or guilt (usually from some misdeed).

conceit

Excessive pride.

conceited

Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance.

concentrated

Focused on something.

concern

Sympathy for someone or something.

concerned

Deeply interested or worried about someone or something.

concupiscent

Characterized by vigorous passion or strong sexual desire.

condemnation

Strong disapproval.

condemned

Sentenced to punishment; punished.

condescending

Arrogant, patronizing to those considered inferior; acting superior.

confidence

Trust in oneself, in someone, or something.

confident

Having trust in oneself; self-assured.

confined

Deprived of freedom.

confirmed

Established or made firm.

conflict

Opposition or disagreement.

conflicted

Confused and having mutually inconsistent feelings.

conforming

Adhering or adapting to new or different conditions, established customs, or doctrines (especially in religion).

confounded

Confused and perplexed, usually caused by an unexpected experience or series of experiences.

confrontation

Discord resulting from a clash of ideas or opinions.

confrontational

Hostile or argumentative.

confronted

Accusing opposition and hostility from someone or something.

confused

Unable to think with clarity or act intelligently.

confusion

A lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior.

congenial

Compatible to someone or something.

congeniality

Compatibility between persons.

connected

Joined or linked together.

connection

A feeling of being connected to someone or something.

conned

Deprived of something by deceit.

conniving

Secretive in a pursuit of a fraudulent or illegal end.

conquered

Under control by force or authority.

conscientious

Extremely careful and taking great effort.

conscious

Aware of surroundings, sensations, and thoughts.

consecrated

Solemnly dedicated to a higher or sacred purpose.

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From abandon to zestful, Dictionary of Emotion's itemization of terms that identify a specific emotional state is an ideal communication tool to enhance anyone’s ability to express a mood or feeling and gain greater insight into the range of emotions we all share.

conservative

Reluctant to accept changes and new ideas.

considerate

Concerned for the rights and feelings of others.

consideration

Kind and considerate regard for others.

considered

Taken into account.

consistency

A harmonious uniformity or agreement among things or parts.

consistent

Reliable; capable of reproducing something.

consoled

Morally or emotionally supported by someone or something; comforted.

consoling

Supportive and comforting.

conspicuous

Obvious to the eye or mind.

conspiring

Desiring to carry out some harmful or illegal act.

constant

Unvarying in nature.

consternated

Anxious from an unexpected experience.

constrained

Lacking spontaneity; not natural.

constraint

Thoughts or behavior controlled by someone or something.

constricted

Especially tense.

constructive

Useful in purpose.

consulted

Asked to provide advice or perspective (usually professionally).

consumed

contagious

Capable of transmitting something.

contained

Controlled or restrained.

contaminated

Made impure by something.

contemplation

A calm, lengthy, intent consideration.

contemplative

Deeply or seriously thoughtful.

contempt

Disrespect with intense dislike.

contemptible

Deserving of contempt or scorn.

contemptuous

Characterized by extreme contempt; scornful.

content

Satisfied; peacefully happy.

contented

Satisfied with things as they are.

contention

Strong disagreement.

contentious

Inclined to dispute or disagree.

contentment

Happiness with one’s situation in life.

contradiction

Opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas.

contradictory

Mutually opposed or inconsistent; disagreeing.

contrary

Inclined to disagree or experience the opposite of what is expected.

contrite

Pained by guilt from an offense.

control

Power to direct or determine.

controlled

Restrained, managed, or kept within certain bounds.

controlling

Having and exerting influence and authority over someone or something.

convenience

The quality of something being useful and convenient.

convenient

Suited to one’s comfort, purpose, or needs.

conventional

Unimaginative and conformist.

converted

Changed in nature, purpose, or function.

convicted

Guilty by proof or declaration from someone.

conviction

An unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence.

convinced

Persuaded; very sure.

convincing

Believable; truthful.

convivial

Feeling fondness and the joy of good company; festive.

cool

Unenthusiastic; calm and self-controlled, composed.

cooperative

Desiring and willing to work together with someone or something.

copacetic

Completely satisfied.

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copied

Imitated by someone or something.

coping

Successful in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available.

coquettish

Playfully flirtatious.

cordial

Polite, friendly, and warm toward others.

cordiality

Warmth and friendliness.

cornered

Trapped with no apparent way out.

corralled

Feeling gathered; enclosed in a corral.

correct

Free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth.

corrosive

Spitefully sarcastic.

corrupt

Lacking integrity; dishonest, immoral, or evasive.

corrupted

Ruined in character or quality.

counter

Opposition to something.

counterfeit

Not genuine; imitating something superior.

courage

A quality of spirit that enables one to face danger or pain without showing fear.

courageous

Brave; unafraid of danger or pain.

courteous

Showing courtesy and gracious good manners.

courteousness

Gracious consideration toward others; good etiquette.

courtly

Refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court.

covert

Secret or hidden; not openly practiced, engaged in, shown, or avowed.

coveted

Greatly desired.

covetous

Painfully desirous of another’s advantages.

cowardice

A lack of courage.

cowardly

Ignobly timid and fainthearted.

coy

Shy or modest in a playful or provocative way.

coziness

A state of warm, snug comfort.

cozy

Comfortingly warm and sheltered; feeling a warm or friendly and informal atmosphere.

crabby

Annoyed and irritable.

craftiness

Shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception.

crafty

Skilled in deception.

cramped

Constricted in size.

cranky

Easily irritated or annoyed.

crappy

Very bad, unwell, or unpleasant.

crass

So unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility.

crave

To have a great desire for something.

craving

An intense desire for some particular thing.

crazed

craziness

Rashness and foolishness.

crazy

Intensely enthusiastic about someone or something.

creative

Having the ability or power to create.

credence

Confidence that something is true.

credulous

Lacking judgment or experience.

credulousness

A tendency to believe too readily and therefore to be easily deceived.

creepiness

An uneasy sensation, as of insects creeping on one’s skin.

creepy

Annoying and unpleasant.

crestfallen

Low in spirit; sad and disappointed.

criminal

Guilty of crime or serious offense; unlawful.

crippled

Deprived of strength or efficiency.

critical

Marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws.

criticized

Judged or censured.

cross

Annoyed and irritable.

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From abandon to zestful, Dictionary of Emotion's itemization of terms that identify a specific emotional state is an ideal communication tool to enhance anyone’s ability to express a mood or feeling and gain greater insight into the range of emotions we all share.

crossed

Opposed by someone.

crotchety

Irritable and unsatisfied.

crowded

Overfilled or compacted or concentrated.

crucified

Criticized harshly or violently.

cruddy

Characterized by obscenity.

crude

Conspicuously and tastelessly indecent.

cruel

Disposed to inflict pain or suffering; destitute of sympathetic kindness and pity.

cruelty

Extreme heartlessness.

crummy

Sick and/or uncomfortable.

crush

An intense attraction to or infatuation with someone.

crushed

Deeply disappointed.

cryptic

Puzzlingly terse.

cuckolded

Cheated on by one’s partner in marriage.

cuckoo

Stupid and incompetent; foolish.

cuddled

Receiving warm, comfortable affection from someone.

cuddly

Affectionate; inviting cuddling or hugging.

culled

Selected from a large group or rejected and removed.

culpable

Deserving of blame or censure as being wrong, evil, or injurious.

cultivated

Refined in taste and manners.

cultured

Refined in the arts, personal taste, behavior, and education.

cumbersome

Difficult to handle.

cunning

Attractive, especially by means of smallness, prettiness, or quaintness.

cupidity

Extreme greed for material wealth.

curiosity

The sensation of wanting to learn more about something.

curious

Eager to investigate and learn or learn more.

curmudgeonly

Brusque, surly, and forbidding.

cursed

Afflicted with something.

cushy

Without burden or demand.

cut

Separated or removed.

cute

Attractive, especially by means of smallness, prettiness, or quaintness.

cynical

Distrustful and/or doubtful of someone or something.

cynicism

Cynical distrust.