RESENTMENT DEFINITION:Moral-centered anger arising from disrespect, unjust treatment, or unfairness PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: A pinched mouth Arms crossed over the chest A flat look, the eyes narrowed Scowling Increasing one’s personal distance from others Complaining Rudeness and sarcasm Pouting Catty behavior Name-calling A voice that rises in volume or intensity Arguing Looking past someone rather than at them A hard expression Arms straight, hands locked into fists Refusing to be bought off through kindness or thoughtfulness Shunning the source A stiff stance Purposely ignoring someone’s conciliatory efforts Muttering or cursing under the breath Twisting the mouth; a soured expression Belittling another’s status or accomplishment Tension in the neck and shoulders Pointing and jabbing the air for emphasis A curling lip, showing the teeth A sharp, defined jaw line The voice taking on a tart tone Snapping at others Sabotaging another’s projects or actions out of a sense of being wronged Talking behind someone’s back; gossiping An unkind smile Shaking the head in disapproval but not saying anything Balling the hands into fists Walking out of the room Spinning away in a huff and stomping up the stairs Shutting a door with more force than is necessary INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Tension headaches Pain in the jaw A tight chest Constricting the throat High blood pressure Stomach troubles or ulcers MENTAL RESPONSES: Unkind thoughts toward the target Frustration at unfairness or a lack of justice Fantasizing harm or the downfall of another Moodiness Wanting to be alone Fixating on a person or situation to the detriment of other relationships A desire to bring others in and create a mob mentality of resentment Becoming obsessed with fairness (noticing imbalances, always treating others equally, etc.) ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Weight gain Illness Insomnia Arriving late, calling in sick, or refusing work shifts to avoid the source of resentment High blood pressure Seeking revenge SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Walking away Keeping silent Changing the topic to something safe Putting on a smile Pretending to move on while making plans to bring about justice MAY ESCALATE TO:Bitterness,Contempt,Anger,Hatred,Jealousy,Defiant,Vengeful MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Acceptance,Hurt,Determination ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Accuse, attack, defend, fester frown, fume, gossip, gripe harbor, insult, pout, sabotage scowl, seethe, snap, stew sulk, undermine, vent WRITER’S TIP:When you’re exposing the reader to a new scene, person, or object, it can be useful to have some description or opinion delivered through a secondary character’s dialogue. What they notice and how they respond provides an opportunity to characterize.