The Bookshelf Muse
Emotion Thesaurus: Anger
Posted by Becca
January 24,
2008
Our hope is that the ideas in this thesaurus will help you think of new ways the body exhibits emotions; instead of focusing on the face or hands, maybe think of what the feet are doing, or what the body might look like from behind. Hopefully, each entry will help you come up with new ways of writing these emotions for your characters.

ANGER

clenching/unclenching fists
nails biting into one’s palms
pounding fists against thighs, table, wall
slamming doors, cupboards, drawers
punching, kicking, throwing things
flaring temper
stomping, stamping
sitting/standing rigidly
body tense
muscles quivering
breathing deeply, noisily
nostrils flaring
pulse/heartbeat slowing or speeding
vein visibly pulsing in various body parts
eyes that are cold, hard, flinty
narrowed eyes
Eyebrows lowering, drawing together
glaring
reddened face
jaw clenching
grinding teeth
Scowling, sneering, frowning
smiles that don't reach the eyes
laughter with an edge
yelling
snapping at people
talking in a carefully controlled tone
voice shaking
sarcasm
picking fights (verbal or physical)
irrational reactions to inconsequential things
demanding immediate action
jumping into things without thinking
taking inappropriate risks

Old anger cliches with a new twist:

•glaring: She gave me a look that would wither a cornstalk at 50 paces. (Karen Cushman, Rodzina)

•angry eyes: Her eyes are like the lit end of a cigarette, burning into me. (Gennifer Choldenko, Al Capone Does My Shirts)