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Synonyms

emotional

American  
[ih-moh-shuh-nl] / ɪˈmoʊ ʃə nl /

adjective

  1. pertaining to or involving emotion or the emotions.

  2. subject to or easily affected by emotion.

    We are an emotional family, given to demonstrations of affection.

    Synonyms:
    sentimental, demonstrative, effusive, temperamental
    Antonyms:
    inexpressive, unsentimental, undemonstrative
  3. appealing to the emotions.

    an emotional request for contributions.

  4. showing or revealing very strong emotions.

    an emotional scene in a play.

  5. actuated, effected, or determined by emotion rather than reason.

    An emotional decision is often a wrong decision.

  6. governed by emotion.

    He is in a highly emotional state of mind.


emotional British  
/ ɪˈməʊʃənəl /

adjective

  1. of, characteristic of, or expressive of emotion

  2. readily or excessively affected by emotion

  3. appealing to or arousing emotion

    an emotional piece of music

  4. caused, determined, or actuated by emotion rather than reason

    an emotional argument

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • emotionality noun
  • emotionally adverb
  • hyperemotional adjective
  • hyperemotionally adverb
  • nonemotional adjective
  • nonemotionally adverb
  • overemotional adjective
  • overemotionally adverb
  • preemotional adjective
  • preemotionally adverb
  • pseudoemotional adjective
  • pseudoemotionally adverb
  • quasi-emotional adjective
  • quasi-emotionally adverb
  • semiemotional adjective
  • semiemotionally adverb
  • unemotional adjective
  • unemotionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of emotional

First recorded in 1840–50; emotion + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The pressure of the Olympics really gets you... it's unreal," an emotional Malinin told journalists afterwards.

From Barron's

But an emotional James said he was not giving up, targeting the 2030 Winter Olympics in France.

From Barron's

My wife and I were in Paris during the tragedy and a decade later, the emotional tether I feel to the city remains taut.

From The Wall Street Journal

It could tell the difference between a joke and a call for help, unlike newer models which, Ursie says, lack that emotional intelligence.

From BBC

Statistically, men who are equipped to form meaningful long-term relationships with women enjoy better lifelong mental, emotional and physical health, with an increased quality of life as a whole.

From Los Angeles Times