Do you need some help with writing a character that freaks others out? The 10 words we’ve included below will give you some ideas. Read on to get some advice on how to describe a creepy person in a story.
1. Strange
Definition
Something or someone who is unexpected or unusual and makes people feel afraid or nervous.
Examples
“The man in the shadows was strange, to say the least. There was something undeniably creepy about him.”
“That strange woman has been lingering outside the shop for hours. I think it’s quite creepy, to be honest.”
How it Adds Description
You can use the word “strange” to describe a creepy person, as this adjective shows that the person is acting in an unusual way that might make other characters scared or anxious. If a character notices a “strange” person, they might alert others to see whether anyone else feels the same way.
2. Terrifying
Definition
Someone who makes you feel extremely frightened.
Examples
“The masked man creeped most people out, but to Julia, he was terrifying.”
“Anna knew she shouldn’t be bothered by the old maid, but she found her terrifying. There was something about her creepy, old-fashioned actions that kept Anna up at night.”
How it Adds Description
While creepy characters might make most people unsettled, characters with an anxious disposition might find them “terrifying.” This word shows that your character is frightened of the creepy character to the point that they avoid them or can’t sleep because of their fear. This is a great word to use if you’re writing a thriller or horror novel.
3. Spooky
Definition
Someone who has an eerie or ghostly vibe.
Examples
“Every time David looked into the graveyard, the spooky groundskeeper was standing there looking directly at him.”
“Bella didn’t like traveling through the woods alone. She was afraid that she’d bump into the spooky old woman with the dead eyes again.”
How it Adds Description
“Spooky” can be used to describe creepy characters that have an eerie or ghostly appearance or vibe to them. If a character believes that someone is “spooky,” they might associate them with ghosts or other horror-themed tropes. This mindset is more likely for characters with an active imagination or a belief in the supernatural.
4. Bizarre
Definition
Someone very strange or odd.
Examples
“The teacher told the class to ignore the bizarre homeless woman, but he secretly agreed that she was creepy.”
“Everyone found the horror movie villain creepy, but Fern just thought he was bizarre. She’d watched too many scary films to be frightened by a man in a mask.”
How it Adds Description
If you want to show that a character thinks a creepy character is simply unusual or odd, you can use “bizarre.” This adjective shows that they’re more focused on the character’s different appearance or behavior rather than how scary they are.
5. Freaky
Definition
Someone who is different in an unconventional or unpleasant way.
Examples
“The freaky clown walked towards Heather, and she squealed. She’s always thought clowns were creepy, and this confirmed it.”
“Billy watched as the freaky child approached his best friend. He knew he needed to intervene, but he wanted to see what the creepy tot was going to do.”
How it Adds Description
You can use “freaky” to describe a creepy character that is different from the norm in a negative or unpleasant way. Characters who are “freaky” might draw attention to themselves because they have an unconventional attitude about them. This might unnerve other characters, especially if they follow conventional rules.
6. Sinister
Definition
Someone who seems harmful or evil.
Examples
“The sinister woman peeped through her neighbors’ windows in the evenings despite having the police called on her.”
“Okay, that old man isn’t even creepy anymore. He’s being downright sinister. Make him stop following us!”
How it Adds Description
When a creepy character seems like they’re going to harm another, you can use the adjective “sinister.” This word has negative connotations and is a great way to describe villains or creepy characters who have a more threatening aura.
7. Offbeat
Definition
Someone who is different from normal expectations.
Examples
“Matthew’s mama called him offbeat, but everyone else thought he was creepy. There was something about him that made the girls feel uneasy.”
“Throughout his days in the office, Maxine has tried to be as normal as possible. But it was obvious that everyone thought she was offbeat when they avoided her in the cafe.”
How it Adds Description
“Offbeat” is a way to describe a character who doesn’t fit the normal expectations. This can be applied to creepy characters, as they usually stand out against the grain due to their strange actions.
8. Mysterious
Definition
Someone who isn’t understood by others.
Examples
“The mysterious detective had a bad habit of watching his suspects at night.”
“Anna tried her best to be mysterious at school, but her quietness and inability to make eye contact came off as creepy.”
How it Adds Description
Typically, characters who are creepy aren’t often understood. Therefore, you can use “mysterious” to describe them. An inquisitive character might try to figure out a “mysterious” character, but this might be difficult as creepy or “mysterious” characters tend to be very closed off.
9. Awkward
Definition
Someone who acts in an embarrassed or shy way.
Examples
“Jenna tried not to be creepy, but her awkward nature often made others avoid her.”
“Toby knew the girls thought he was a creep. But he didn’t have enough confidence to tell them he was just awkward.”
How it Adds Description
A creepy character could be described as “awkward” if they feel shy around others or lack typical social skills. This might make it hard for them to make friends, and thus, others might start ignoring them or not include them in social events.
10. Quiet
Definition
Someone who makes little or no noise.
Examples
“Naomi thought the quiet bus driver was sweet, but her friends deemed him creepy when he refused to speak.”
“The creepy young girl never spoke. She was quiet all the time and spent her days collecting dead flies.”
How it Adds Description
Sometimes, creepy characters don’t speak or avoid making noise. Therefore, you can use “quiet” to give extra definition to any strange or creepy people. Being “quiet” might make it difficult for the character to communicate with others, and thus, it makes other characters find them even creepier.