Meaning and Examples: Most 20 Negative Words Starting with E

Words can make us feel happy or sad. They help us tell others how we feel or what we think. Some words make us feel good, like ‘thank you’ or ‘love’. But there are also words that make us feel bad. These words describe things we don’t like or situations that make us upset.

Here, we’ll talk about Most 20 Negative Words Starting with E that aren’t so nice, and they all start with the letter E. We’ll explain what they mean and give examples to help you understand them better.

20 Negative Words Starting with E in a Relationship

1. Egoistic

Meaning: Egoistic refers to someone who thinks mainly about themselves and doesn’t care much about others’ feelings or needs. They often prioritize their own desires and wants over those of their partner in a relationship.

Example: Imagine you have a friend named Alex who always wants things their way. When you suggest doing something different, Alex gets upset and insists on their idea.

In a relationship, an egoistic partner might constantly make decisions without considering what their partner wants or how it might affect them.

For instance, if you express a desire to spend more time together, they might brush it off and prioritize their own interests without caring about your feelings.

2. Erratic

Meaning: Erratic means unpredictable or irregular. When something or someone is erratic, they don’t follow a steady or consistent pattern. It can refer to behavior, movements, or actions that are not steady or reliable.

Example: Imagine you have a friend who is usually very organized and punctual. However, sometimes they suddenly cancel plans without any explanation or show up late for events. Their behavior is erratic because you can’t predict when they will be reliable and when they won’t.

In a relationship, if one partner’s behavior is erratic, it can cause confusion and frustration for the other partner.

For instance, if someone is usually attentive and loving but then suddenly becomes distant and unresponsive without any clear reason, their erratic behavior can make their partner feel insecure or unsure about the relationship.

When someone’s actions are erratic, it can be challenging to trust them or rely on them because you never know what to expect.

It’s important for partners to communicate openly about any changes in behavior and try to understand each other’s feelings and needs to maintain a healthy and stable relationship.

3. Envious

Meaning: Envious is a negative emotion that arises when someone wants something that someone else has. It’s a feeling of resentment or discontentment towards another person’s possessions, qualities, or achievements.

Example: Imagine you have a friend named Sarah. Sarah got a new bike, and you start feeling unhappy about it because you don’t have one.

You might even feel like you wish Sarah didn’t have the bike either because you’re jealous. That feeling of wishing you had what someone else has, and feeling unhappy because they have it, that’s being envious.

So, when you see Sarah happily riding her bike, instead of feeling happy for her, you might feel a little sad or upset because you wish you were the one riding the bike. That’s being envious.

In a relationship, if one partner constantly feels envious of the other, it can create tension and lead to problems.

For example, if one partner always feels jealous when the other gets attention or praise, it can make both people feel unhappy and insecure.

It’s important for both partners to talk about their feelings and find ways to support each other instead of feeling envious.

4. Entitled

Meaning: “Entitled” means feeling like you deserve special treatment or privileges without necessarily earning them. It’s when someone believes they have a right to something just because of who they are, rather than because they’ve worked for it or it’s been offered to them.

Example: Imagine a situation where one partner in a relationship always expects the other to cater to their needs without considering their partner’s feelings or needs. They might feel entitled to attention, gifts, or favors simply because they’re in a relationship, without putting in effort to make their partner happy in return. This can create imbalance and resentment in the relationship.

For instance, Sarah always expects John to drop everything and spend time with her whenever she wants, without considering his own schedule or desires.

She believes that as his girlfriend, she’s entitled to his attention whenever she demands it, even if it means disrupting his plans or causing inconvenience to him. This sense of entitlement can strain their relationship and make John feel unappreciated and taken for granted.

Feeling entitled in a relationship means thinking you deserve special treatment without considering how it affects your partner. It can lead to problems like selfishness, lack of respect, and imbalance in the relationship.

5. Emotionally distant

Meaning: “Emotionally distant” refers to a situation where one partner in a relationship is not emotionally available or connected to the other. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, frustration, and a lack of intimacy.

Example: Imagine a couple, Sarah and Mark, who used to share their thoughts and feelings openly with each other. However, as their relationship progressed, Mark started becoming more emotionally distant.

He would spend more time on his phone or watching TV rather than engaging in meaningful conversations with Sarah. When Sarah tried to talk to him about her day or her feelings, Mark would brush her off or seem disinterested.

This made Sarah feel isolated and unimportant in the relationship, as if she was talking to a wall instead of her partner. Mark’s emotional distance created a gap between them, causing strain and unhappiness in their relationship.

6. Egotistical

Meaning: Egotistical refers to someone who excessively focuses on themselves, their own importance, and their own achievements. They often disregard the needs and feelings of others because they believe they are superior or more important.

Example: Imagine you have a friend named Alex. Alex always talks about themselves and how great they are. They never ask about your day or how you’re feeling.

They constantly brag about their accomplishments and never seem interested in what anyone else has done.

For example, if you share some good news with Alex, instead of being happy for you, they might try to one-up you by talking about something even better they’ve done. This behavior shows that Alex is egotistical because they only care about themselves and don’t consider how their actions affect others.

7. Explosive

Meaning: Explosive means something that can burst or erupt suddenly and violently. In relationships, it describes behavior or emotions that can escalate quickly and cause a lot of damage or hurt.

Example: Imagine two friends, Sarah and Mike. They had a small argument about what movie to watch. Sarah suddenly raises her voice, starts yelling at Mike, and says hurtful things.

This behavior is explosive because Sarah’s emotions burst out suddenly, making the situation more intense and causing distress to Mike.

Explanation: In relationships, when someone behaves explosively, it means they react strongly and suddenly to a situation, often without thinking about the consequences. This can lead to arguments, fights, or emotional harm to both parties involved.

Explosive behavior can damage trust and make it difficult to resolve conflicts peacefully. It’s important for people in a relationship to communicate calmly and respectfully, even when they disagree, to avoid explosive situations.

8. Exasperating

Meaning: Exasperating refers to something that is extremely irritating, frustrating, or annoying. It describes situations or behaviors that make someone feel increasingly impatient or annoyed.

Example: Imagine you’re trying to have a serious conversation with your partner about an important issue, but every time you start to talk, they interrupt you or change the subject.

This behavior can be exasperating because it prevents you from expressing yourself and resolving the problem. It makes you feel like your thoughts and feelings aren’t being respected, which can lead to frustration and annoyance.

9. Elusive

Meaning: Elusive means something that is difficult to find, catch, or achieve.

Explanation: In a relationship, when something is described as elusive, it means it’s hard to grasp or understand. This could apply to feelings, understanding, or even resolving conflicts.

Example: Imagine a couple who have been together for a while but seem to struggle with understanding each other’s needs. Despite their efforts to communicate, they find that true understanding feels elusive.

They talk and try to express themselves, but they can’t seem to connect on a deeper level. It’s like trying to catch a butterfly; every time they think they have it, it slips away.

10. Enraged

Meaning: When someone is “enraged,” it means they are extremely angry or furious about something. It’s like their anger has reached a very high level.

Example: Imagine a couple, John and Sarah. John accidentally forgets their anniversary, which makes Sarah very upset. But instead of just being upset, she becomes enraged.

She starts shouting and slamming doors. Her face turns red with anger, and she might even throw things around the room. Her anger is so intense that it’s hard for her to calm down.

11. Exclusionary

Meaning: Exclusionary means causing someone to feel left out or not included. It can refer to behaviors or actions that intentionally or unintentionally make others feel unwelcome or not part of a group.

Example: Let’s say there’s a couple, Sarah and Alex, who have been together for a while. Sarah has a group of friends she’s known since childhood, and they often plan outings together.

However, Sarah never invites Alex to join them, even when the outings are casual and inclusive of partners.

This behavior makes Alex feel excluded from Sarah’s social circle and creates tension in their relationship. Sarah’s exclusionary actions cause Alex to feel lonely and unimportant in their relationship.

12. Exaggerating

Meaning: Exaggerating means making something seem bigger, more important, or more extreme than it really is. It’s like stretching the truth or adding extra details to make a situation appear more dramatic or significant than it actually is.

Example: Let’s say you’re telling a story about catching a fish. If you say, “I caught a fish as big as a shark!”, but in reality, the fish was just a regular-sized fish, you’re exaggerating. You’re making the fish seem much larger than it actually was.

Explanation: Exaggerating often happens when people want to make their experiences or accomplishments sound more impressive.

Sometimes, they do it unintentionally because they’re excited or want to make the story more interesting. However, exaggerating can lead to misunderstandings or people not trusting what you say. It’s important to be honest and truthful in your communication with others.

13. Excessive

Meaning: Excessive means having too much of something, more than what is necessary or appropriate.

Explanation: In a relationship, when something is excessive, it means there’s too much of it happening, and it might not be good for the relationship.

Example: Let’s say you have a partner who always wants to spend money on expensive gifts for you, even when it’s not your birthday or any special occasion. They buy you expensive jewelry every week, even though you’ve told them that you prefer simple gestures. This behavior can be considered excessive because it’s too much and might make you uncomfortable or feel pressured.

Why it’s negative: Excessive behavior in a relationship can lead to imbalance and discomfort. It might make one partner feel overwhelmed or suffocated by the other’s actions. It can also indicate a lack of consideration for the other person’s preferences or boundaries.

Impact on the relationship: When something is excessive in a relationship, it can strain the bond between partners. It may lead to resentment, arguments, or even a breakdown in communication if one person feels like their needs and desires aren’t being respected.

Handling Excessive Behavior: If you notice excessive behavior in your relationship, it’s important to communicate openly with your partner. Let them know how their actions make you feel and discuss ways to find a balance that works for both of you. Setting boundaries and expressing your needs calmly can help address excessive behavior without causing further conflict.

14. Exasperated

Meaning: Exasperated means feeling very frustrated, annoyed, or irritated, often because something is causing difficulties or problems.

Explanation: Imagine you’re trying to explain something important to your partner, but they keep interrupting you and not listening.

You might start to feel exasperated because you’re trying hard to communicate, but they’re not cooperating. It’s like feeling very annoyed and fed up because the situation is not going the way you want it to.

Example: Let’s say you and your partner are planning a vacation together. You’ve spent hours researching destinations, but every time you suggest something, your partner dismisses it without giving it much thought.

You might say, “I’m getting exasperated because it feels like you’re not considering any of my ideas for our vacation. Can we please discuss this calmly and listen to each other’s preferences?”.

15. Embittered

Meaning: “Embittered” means feeling resentful, angry, or unpleasantly affected by something that has happened, often resulting in a sour or resentful attitude.

Example: Imagine two people, Jack and Sarah, who have been in a relationship for a few years. They used to be very happy together, but recently they have been arguing a lot. Sarah feels embittered because Jack never listens to her anymore.

She feels like her opinions and feelings don’t matter to him. This makes her feel resentful and unhappy, and it’s affecting their relationship.

16. Erroneous

Meaning: Erroneous means something that is wrong or incorrect. It describes information, ideas, or actions that contain mistakes or inaccuracies.

Example: Let’s say you’re playing a game with your friend, and they tell you that the rules say you can only move your game piece three spaces at a time.

However, after checking the rulebook, you realize that this information is erroneous because the rules actually allow you to move five spaces at a time.

In this example, the information your friend gave you was incorrect or mistaken, so it was erroneous.

17. Evasive

Meaning: When someone is evasive in a relationship, it means they tend to dodge questions or discussions that are important or uncomfortable. They may try to sidestep issues rather than addressing them directly.

Example: Let’s say you ask your partner where they were last night, and they start talking about something else instead of answering your question directly. They might say things like, “Oh, I was just out with friends,” without giving specific details. This behavior could indicate that they’re being evasive.

18. Exploitative

Meaning: When something is exploitative, it means that it takes advantage of someone or something for its own benefit without considering the well-being or fairness of the other person or thing.

Example: Let’s say you’re in a relationship where one partner always asks the other for money but never pays it back.

This behavior is exploitative because one person is taking advantage of the other’s kindness and resources without any intention of reciprocating or considering the other person’s financial situation.

Explanation: When something is exploitative, it’s like one person is using another person unfairly. It can happen in different ways, like when someone is taken advantage of for their money, time, or talents without getting anything in return.

It’s important in relationships for both people to treat each other fairly and with respect, so when one person acts in an exploitative way, it can cause a lot of hurt and damage to the relationship.

19. Ensnaring

Meaning: Ensnaring refers to the act of trapping someone or something, often in a deceitful or manipulative manner. It implies capturing or entangling someone in a situation from which it is difficult to escape.

Example: Imagine two people, Sarah and Mark, in a relationship. Sarah constantly uses emotional manipulation to control Mark’s actions and decisions.

She always guilt-trips him into doing what she wants, making him feel obligated to comply with her wishes.

Mark feels trapped and unable to express his true feelings because he fears upsetting Sarah. Sarah’s behavior is ensnaring Mark in a cycle of emotional dependence and manipulation.

20. Entangling

Meaning: “Entangling” means getting someone caught up or involved in something complicated or difficult to escape from. In a relationship, this can happen when one person brings in problems, conflicts, or situations that make it hard for both partners to have a healthy connection.

Example: Imagine Sarah and Mike have been dating for a while. Sarah’s constant need for attention and drama from her ex-boyfriend becomes an entangling factor in their relationship.

Mike feels caught up in Sarah’s past relationship issues, making it difficult for them to move forward together without constant tension and insecurity.