Does the main plot in your novel involve a strong community to which its members really feel part of? Do you need some help in writing the characteristics of this community? Check out the 10 words to describe a sense of collective belonging below.
1. Included
Definition
Embraced, taken in; not excluded.
Examples
“The community center sought to make everyone feel included, welcoming people of all ages, races, and religions.”
“It was important that every employee felt included in the transition.”
How it Adds Description
The word “included” emphasizes the importance of being integrated into a group or community. Inclusion helps to establish a feeling of belonging for the protagonist and creates a connection between the character and the reader. It can also help drive the plot forward if a character who is included is going against the group or an excluded character is fighting to belong.
2. Comfortable
Definition
Content, secure; relaxed, and at ease.
Examples
“Jessi had never felt so comfortable with a group of people as she did with her new team.”
“She was still comfortable around her childhood friends, even after years of being apart.”
How it Adds Description
The word “comfortable” describes the feelings of a character who has become familiar with their environment or other people. If a character who was previously uncomfortable and out of place starts to feel comfortable and at home, it could be a sign that they are starting to settle into their new surroundings and becoming more integrated leading to new developments in the plot.
3. Embraced
Definition
Welcomed with open arms; fully accepted and supported by others.
Examples
“Holly was embraced by the team and made to feel like part of a family.”
“The community embraced the new immigrants, helping them adjust to their new home.”
How it Adds Description
The word “embraced” can be used to describe a character who has found a group that accepts them for who they are. The character might feel a sense of relief and belonging as they are embraced by this new group, and this moment of acceptance could be a turning point in the plot, moving the story forward as the character begins to explore new relationships and experiences.
4. Welcomed
Definition
Showing hospitality or friendliness; making others feel invited and at ease.
Examples
“The university went out of its way to make sure I felt welcomed in my new position as a professor.”
“I thought it was important that the soldiers feel welcomed by the locals when they stepped off the bus.”
How it Adds Description
The word “welcomed” can be used to describe a character’s experiences as they enter a new environment or interact with a new group of people. Seeking a sense of belonging can display a character’s motives by explaining their reason to stay in the new environment and engage with the other characters or create conflict and friction if they struggle to find this kind of acceptance.
5. Valued
Definition
Appreciated, respected; feeling that one’s presence and input matter.
Examples
“Josh felt valued by his boss, who frequently praised his hard work.”
“Carlita appreciated being thanked for her efforts, which made her feel valued by the organization.”
How it Adds Description
The word “valued” can highlight the importance of individuals feeling appreciated and recognized within a group or community. It helps to communicate internal or external struggles where characters feel underappreciated or show their significance within a larger group or community.
6. Rooted
Definition
Feeling a deep connection to one’s culture, heritage, or traditions.
Examples
“The family’s annual holiday traditions helped the children feel rooted in their cultural heritage.”
“The character’s sense of identity was rooted in their hometown, which they always felt drawn to no matter where they were.”
How it Adds Description
The word “rooted” suggests that a character has a deep sense of attachment and familiarity with a particular environment. It can suggest resilience and the ability to weather adversity. A character who is rooted in their sense of belonging may be better equipped to cope with the challenges and struggles they face in the course of the story.
7. Nurtured
Definition
Fostering growth and development; an environment that encourages personal and emotional well-being.
Examples
“The therapist saw to it that the patient was properly nurtured, helping him heal from past traumas.”
“The victims felt nurtured by the care they were given by their surrounding community after the tornado.”
How it Adds Description
The word “nurtured” conveys the idea that characters are being cared for and supported within their community. A character who has been nurtured might be more likely to take risks or stand up for what they believe, while a character who is lacking nurturing might feel isolated and vulnerable, making them more susceptible to making poor decisions or getting into trouble.
8. Connected
Definition
Possessing a strong bond or relationship with others; part of a larger group.
Examples
“The book club members felt connected to one another through their shared love of literature.”
“John and Toby’s travels made them feel more connected to the world, experiencing different cultures and meeting new people.”
How it Adds Description
The word “connected” underscores the importance of interpersonal relationships and emotional bonds between characters. This sense of connection can drive important actions and decisions. Characters may take risks or make sacrifices to protect their loved ones or maintain their relationships. Misunderstandings may occur if this connection is threatened or weakened.
9. Embraced
Definition
Accepted, loved; part of a warm and loving group.
Examples
“Carrie felt embraced by her new partner’s family, who welcomed her affectionately with open arms.”
“The artist was embraced by his fans, who showed up in droves to support his latest exhibit and showered them with praise.”
How it Adds Description
The word “embraced” expresses a sense of warmth, love, and security that can be incredibly comforting for characters who may feel like outsiders or who are searching for a place to belong. It can create tension in a character who is rejected or isolated, creating an obstacle that must be overcome or setting the character up as an unloved outsider or villain.
10. Accepted
Definition
Welcomed, included; feeling valued and respected.
Examples
“The group of friends felt accepted by one another completely.”
“Yumi felt accepted by her family despite her many poor choices.”
How it Adds Description
The word “accepted” can be used to explore issues of identity, self-esteem, and relationships. A character’s sense of belonging can change and evolve. They may face challenges and setbacks that threaten their acceptance, or they may discover new aspects of their identity that deepen their sense of connection with others, creating opportunities for growth and transformation.