List of Words that Describe Behavior

List of Words that Describe Behavior

If you are making a list of words that describe behavior, you might sort them according to the different kinds of behavior. People behave differently at home than at work, and in the company of certain people. Let’s look at different types of behavior and some words that describe them.

List of Words That Describe Behavior in Social Situations

The term ‘habit’ is widely used to predict and explain behaviour. This paper examines use of the term in the context of health-related behaviour, and explores how the concept might be made more useful.

Many things can affect behavior:

·         Your mood

·         The people that you are around

·         Things that happen to you

Stress and your physical condition also have a bearing on your behavior. We are going to look at good, socially accepted behavior and bad or out of control behavior.

Here is a list of words that describe behavior that is good in social situations:

·         Caring: desire to help people

·         Charming: pleasant, delightful

·         Considerate: thinking of others

·         Enthusiastic: has strong feelings; ardent

·         Excitable: gets excited easily

·         Faithful: being loyal

·         Funny: causing people to laugh

·         Kind: thoughtful, caring

·         Pleasant: polite

·         Polite: exhibiting good manners

·         Sincere: being totally honest

·         Thoughtful: thinking things over 

For the opposite kind of behavior, here is a list of words that refer to bad social behavior:

·         Aggressive: verbally or physically threatening

·         Argumentative: often arguing with people

·         Bossy: always telling people what to do

·         Deceitful: doing or saying anything to get people to do what you want or to get what you want

·         Domineering: constantly trying to control others

·         Inconsiderate: not caring about others or their feelings

·         Irritating: bothering people

·         Manic: acting just a little crazy

·         Manipulative: always trying to influences other people

·         Moody: being unpredictable; changing moods often

·         Rude: treating people badly; breaking social rules

·         Spiteful: seeking revenge; hurting others because you didn’t get what you want

·         Thoughtless: not thinking about the effects of your actions or words

Words That Describe Personal Behavior

The following words describe behavior that is more personal in nature. The behavior is not affected very much by the company or situation.

·         Active: always busy with something

·         Ambitious: strongly wants to succeed

·         Assertive: being outgoing and confident

·         Careless: not being careful; rushing into things

·         Cautious: being very careful

·         Conceited: thinks he is better than others; arrogant

·         Conscientious: taking time to do things right

·         Creative: someone who can make up things easily or think of new things

·         Curious: always wanting to know things

·         Docile: submissive, does what he is told

·         Extroverted: very outgoing; confident

·         Impulsive: saying or doing things without thinking first

·         Introverted: keeps to himself, doesn’t share thoughts and feelings

·         Inventive: thinks of new ideas

·         Nervous: very uncomfortable

·         Passive: does not argue; does as he is told

·         Perfectionist: wants everything to be done right and perfectly

·         Pragmatic always sees the practical side of things

·         Reserved: keeps thoughts and feelings to himself

·         Serious: no-nonsense kind of behavior

·         Shy: quite and reserved; lacking in confidence

·         Trustworthy: simply worthy of someone’s trust

·         Volatile: changing moods very quickly

Miscellaneous Words

Here is a list of words that describe behavior in general. Following are some words that refer to good behavior: adaptable, brave, confident, cooperative, courageous, debonair, decisive, determined, generous, hilarious, honorable, kind, lively, pleasant, productive, protective, receptive, reflective, responsible, romantic, self-assured, sensitive, shrewd, unusual, witty, wonderful, zany, and zealous.

The next list of words represents unruly or unacceptable behavior.  They are: abrasive, abusive, angry, anxious, belligerent, boorish, cowardly, crazy, creepy, cruel, dangerous, defiant, erratic, finicky, flashy, flippant, foolish, furtive, guarded, jittery, malicious, mysterious, obnoxious, outrageous, panicky, secretive, strange, threatening, unsuitable, vengeful, and wary.  

Of course there are many more words that can describe the way someone is acting. Behavior changes as we get older, too, as priorities change and we gain wisdom. Hopefully the words that you are looking for were included on these lists.