Are you struggling to find the right word to describe the antagonist in your novel? Do not despair! Let the following 10 descriptive words beginning with the letter spark some ideas!
1. Haggard
Definition
Appearing worn or thin; untamed or wild in appearance.
Examples
“The haggard-looking dog approached them slowly as they offered it some food from their pack.”
“She wanted to keep him up and ask him more questions, but he looked so tired and haggard from his long journey there that she told him to go to sleep immediately.”
How It Adds Description
The word haggard can help readers get the sense that the character they are reading about is particularly worn or tired. It can also give the impression that the character may appear very wild or unkempt.
2. Hallowed
Definition
Held in reverence; sacred, holy.
Examples
“The family held their values in high regard—so much so that they could be considered hallowed.”
“When they entered the church, he knew they would be entering hallowed ground, and so they had to be mindful of the way they behaved.”
How It Adds Description
If you have a scene or location in your story that is held in particularly high regard, you can use this word to describe it. You can apply it to something that really is consecrated or holy, or simply use it to imply that the location is so important that it may as well be considered holy.
3. Hawkish
Definition
Resembling a hawk in some way; someone who is hawkish may have a particularly militant disposition.
Examples
“Her long, pointed nose gave her an almost hawkish appearance.”
“He was a strong, charismatic leader, but he also had a hawkish demeanor which meant that the party often went up in arms.”
How It Adds Description
Describing someone as hawkish could imply that they have an appearance similar to that of a hawk. This could make them seem particularly sharp, intelligent, and watchful. You can also use it to describe someone who may be unafraid and interested in war.
4. Heuristic
Definition
Helping in discovery or problem-solving, often in ways that are exploratory or involve trial and error or by using methods that are self-teaching.
Examples
“The tests were difficult to run, but by using some heuristic techniques, the physicist managed to get the results she was looking for.”
“The computer used some rather heuristic methods to track the information.”
How It Adds Description
The word heuristic is a great way to describe that a method your characters are using to do something may be a little experimental.
5. Homely
Definition
Having characteristics of a home; plain and possibly unattractive; somewhere or something that is familiar and comforting; simple and not complex.
Examples
“He had a homely appearance, but he was very nice.”
“The room was simple and homely, and she knew immediately that she would be very comfortable there.”
“With its homely appearance, the house stood out amongst the other much more elaborate ones on the street.”
How It Adds Description
Describing a place as homely can make it feel like somewhere your character will be immediately comfortable. It can also be used to describe a character or thing that is especially plain and unadorned.
6. Horrendous
Definition
Especially horrible or terrible; very bad.
Examples
“They invited him to dinner that night, but his horrendous table manners ensured that they would not be inviting him back a second time.”
“The man was sent to prison for his horrendous crimes.”
How It Adds Description
When you describe something in your story as horrendous, it gives readers the impression that what you’re describing is more than just bad. Something horrendous may be exceptionally terrible, and you can easily use it in your story to help readers understand how serious a situation may be.
7. Hubristic
Definition
Especially cocky or hot-headed; having excessive pride.
Examples
“He had an especially hubristic personality, and that made it difficult to talk to him at times.”
“Her idea was hubristic at best, and he was certain that there was no way it would actually work.”
How It Adds Description
The word hubris comes from ancient Greece, describing a kind of overconfidence that can lead to disastrous results. If you describe a character as hubristic, this can help readers understand that this is a person who may have false ideas about their capabilities and perhaps shouldn’t be as confident as they are.
8. Humble
Definition
Having humility; lacking arrogance or assertiveness; low on a hierarchical scale.
Examples
“The politician came from humble beginnings as a farmer and slowly worked his way up.”
“The way she spoke was always humble, and she never bragged about anything she did.”
“Asking for help meant humbling himself.”
How It Adds Description
The word humble can be a great way to describe a character who is especially modest. You can also use it to describe a scene that is plain and unobtrusive, or by implying needs to lower themselves in some way to get something.
9. Hyperbolic
Definition
Overexaggerated or using language that overstates the reality of something.
Examples
“It was a hyperbolic claim, but one that made him nervous nonetheless.”
“The way he spoke was always hyperbolic, which made it difficult to know what the reality of the situation really was.
How It Adds Description
If you have a character in your story that tends to exaggerate, then you can describe the way they speak as hyperbolic. This will help your readers understand that this particular character may not be someone they should rely on for the truth.
10. Hysterical
Definition
Experiencing hysteria; demonstrating emotion that is unrestrained; exceptionally funny.
Examples
“He was so hysterical that it was difficult to get the full story from him.”
“The day had been so busy and full of emotion that when she got home, she was completely hysterical.”
“He couldn’t stop laughing at the hysterical joke his brother had told.”
How It Adds Description
Using the word hysterical is a great way to show that someone may be experiencing a lot of emotions, to the point where they can no longer contain themselves. You can also use it to describe an experience that your character may find extremely funny.