EMOTION THESAURUS

DEFIANCE



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HELPFUL TIP:

The inner landscape of your characters (especially your protagonist) is the lifeblood that runs through your story. Emotions, and how they're expressed, are tied deeply to a character’s personality and which positive traits and negative traits will manifest. To bring your readers in deeper through shared experience, consider filtering the setting descriptions through your character’s emotions while also exploring important colors, textures, and shapes through his or her senses.
DEFINITION:
Boldly resisting an opposing force, even in the face of defeat


PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
Drawing oneself up to full height (erect posture, tense muscles, etc.)
A sharp chin thrust or lift
Crossing the arms
A gaze or stare that is challenging and full of judgment
A curled lip; smirking
Refusing to obey (or behaving the opposite way one is expected to)
Shoulders pushing back and the chest jutting out
Refusing to be the first to break eye contact
Jerking one's head sharply (“tossing” the head)
Inhaling deeply, the nostrils flaring
Visible tightness in the jaw and neck
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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CUES OF ACUTE OR LONG TERM DEFIANCE:
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MAY ESCALATE TO:
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CUES OF SUPPRESSED DEFIANCE:
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MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:
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ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS:
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