1600+ Remarkably Effective Power Words for Headlines That People Click

Words have power. You’ve probably clicked on the link to read this article out of all the others you could have chosen from because we’ve used power words “effective” and “power”. The words you choose to include in your headlines will ultimately determine how your content performs. In fact, statistics show that eight out of ten people will read a headline, but only two of those people will actually click to proceed and engage with your content. That is why it is important to carefully infuse power words that can influence people and trigger action into your headlines.

What are Power Words?

Power words are words or phrases that possess the ‘psychological ingredients’ or elements that command readers’ attention and trigger them to act. Otherwise known as “trigger words”, power words generally appeal to people more than everyday words and stimulate a strong feeling or emotional response, influencing the reader’s behaviour.

These words often have neutral, positive or negative sentiments. But irrespective of the sentiments they carry, they are powerful words with the ability to appeal to and influence the actions and reactions of readers. This is not a click-baiting gimmick. It is the art of creating click-worthy headlines using the right words and rooted in pure human psychology.

See also 350+ SEO Power Words With Positive Sentiment to See More Results.

Incorporating Power Words Into Headlines

Think of it this way, out of the thousands of content presented to a reader at any given time, why should they be more interested in clicking on yours when they are yet to consume the content? The answer lies in whether or not your headlines resonate with them. To increase your chances of connecting with your audience, you must use power words effectively to trigger an instant feeling or emotional response that makes you stand out.

Below are real-life power words usage examples in various common headline styles, with the power words highlighted:

• News Story Headline. – “Anxiety over Covid: Unleashing a Wave of Mental Health Challenges“
• Article Headline – “Step into Picasso’s Studio: Witness the Unfolding of a Creative Masterpiece“
• Blog Post Headline – “Warning: Signs Your Marketing Campaign Could Be a Financial Sinkhole”
• Email Subject Line – “Important: Final Opportunity to Grab Our 1-month Premium Plan for Free”
• Social Media Ad Headline – “How Financial Infidelity Can Hurt More Than an Affair”
• YouTube Video Headline – Ultimate Slime ASMR Compilation: Your Calm Escape Into Deep Relaxation”
• Landing Page Headline – “Unleashing Guaranteed Growth with Our Groundbreaking Strategy”
• Infographic Title – “Supercharge Your Career: A Comprehensive Guide to Boost Your Work Performance”

See also 10 Proven Tips for Generating Attention-Grabbing Headlines.

Comprehensive List of 1600+ Power Words for Headlines

To help you achieve click-worthy headlines, below is an extensive collection consisting of a list of over 1600 high-impact power words for headlines that you can bookmark and reference for use again and again, guaranteed to boost clicks, sales or whatever response you desire from your readers.

Abandon	Ability	Absolve	Accept
Accident	Accomplish	Accusation	Ache
Achievable	Acquit	Active	Adequate
Adjudication	Administration	Administrator	Admire
Admit	Adopt	Adorable	Adore
Advantage	Adventure	Adventurous	Adviser
Affection	Affectionate	Affirm	Aggravate
Aggression	Aggressive	Aghast	Agog
Agonise	Agree	Agreeable	Agreement
Alarm	Alarmist	Alert	Alienation
Alive	Allergic	Alliance	Allot
Allow	Alone	Amaze	Amazement
Amazing	Ambassador	Ambition	Ambitious
Ambivalent	Amnesty	Amuse	Amusement
Anger	Angry	Anguish	Animosity
Annoy	Annoyance	Antagonistic	Anti
Anticipation	Anxiety	Anxious	Apathetic
Apathy	Apocalyptic	Apologise	Apology
Appalling	Appease	Applaud	Applause
Appoint	Appraisal	Appreciate	Appreciation
Apprehensive	Appropriate	Appropriation	Approval
Ardent	Aristocracy	Aristocrat	Aristocratic
Arm	Arrange	Arrest	Arrogance
Assassination	Assert	Assessor	Asset
Assign	Assume	Assure	Attack
Attorney	Attract	Attraction	Audacious
Auditor	Authoritarian	Authoritative	Authority
Autocrat	Autocratic	Autonomous	Avert
Avid	Avoid	Await	Award
Awesome	Awful	Awkward	Back
Bad	Bailout	Ballot	Bamboozle
Ban	Banish	Banishment	Bankrupt
Bar	Bargain	Barrier	Battle
Bear	Beatific	Beautify	Belittle
Beloved	Benefit	Benign	Bereave
Best	Bestow	Betray	Betrayal
Better	Bias	Bicep	Big
Bishop	Bitter	Bizarre	Blackmail
Blah	Blame	Bless	Blessing
Blind	Blithe	Block	Blockbuster
Bloodthirsty	Blurry	Board	Boast
Body	Bold	Boldness	Bomb
Boost	Boot	Bore	Boring
Boss	Bother	Bothersome	Boycott
Brag	Brainwashing	Bravado	Brave
Breakthrough	Breathtaking	Bribe	Bright
Brightness	Brilliant	Bring	Brisk
Brooding	Bully	Bummer	Buoyant
Burden	Calm	Campaign	Cancel
Cancer	Capability	Capable	Capacity
Capitalize	Captain	Captivated	Capture
Care	Carefree	Careful	Careless
Cast	Casualty	Catastrophe	Catastrophic
Cautious	Celebrate	Celebrity	Censor
Censorship	Censure	Certificate	Certification
Certify	Chagrin	Chairman	Challenge
Champ	Champion	Chance	Chancellor
Channel	Chaos	Charge	Charm
Charming	Chastise	Cheat	Cherish
Chic	Chide	Chief	Childish
Chilling	Choke	Civilize	Clarify
Clarity	Clash	Classy	Clean
Cleaner	Clear	Clever	Clouded
Clout	Coalition	Coerce	Coercion
Cogent	Collapse	Collar	Collide
Collision	Combat	Comedy	Comfort
Comfortable	Command	Commander	Commend
Commissioner	Commit	Commitment	Commonwealth
Compassionate	Compel	Competent	Complacent
Complain	Comprehensive	Compulsion	Conceit
Conciliate	Condemn	Condemnation	Condescending
Condescension	Condone	Confidence	Confident
Confine	Confiscate	Confiscation	Conflict
Confuse	Congratulate	Congratulation	Congress
Conqueror	Consent	Consolable	Conspiracy
Constable	Constrain	Constraint	Contagion
Contempt	Contend	Contentious	Contest
Control	Controller	Controversial	Convince
Convivial	Cool	Coordinate	Cop
Cornered	Corporal	Corpse	Costly
Council	Counsel	Court	Courteous
Courtesy	Cover	Coziness	Cramp
Crap	Crash	Creative	Crestfallen
Cry	Curb	Curious	Curse
Cut	Cynic	Cynical	Cynicism
Damage	Damn	Danger	Daredevil
Darkness	Dauntless	Dead	Deadlock
Deadly	Dean	Dear	Death
Debonair	Debt	Deceit	Deceitful
Deceive	Deception	Decisive	Dedicated
Defect	Defender	Defenceless	Defer
Defiant	Deficit	Degrade	Dehumanize
Deject	Delay	Delegate	Deluge
Demand	Demean	Demonstration	Depose
Depressed	Depressing	Deprive	Derail
Deride	Derision	Derogatory	Designate
Desirable	Desire	Despair	Desperate
Despondent	Destroy	Destructive	Detached
Detain	Detention	Deter	Determination
Determine	Diamond	Dictate	Dictator
Dictatorial	Die	Difficult	Diffident
Dignified	Dilemma	Diplomacy	Diplomatic
Dire	Direction	Director	Dirt
Disable	Disadvantage	Disappear	Disappointment
Disaster	Disbelieve	Discard	Discharge
Discipline	Disconsolate	Discontent	Discord
Discount	Discourage	Discredit	Disdain
Disgrace	Disguise	Dishearten	Dishonest
Disillusion	Disjoint	Dislike	Dismal
Dismay	Dismiss	Disorder	Disorganize
Disorient	Disparage	Dispel	Dispense
Displace	Displease	Dispute	Disqualify
Disquiet	Disregard	Disrespect	Disruption
Dissatisfy	Distinguish	Distort	Distract
Distress	Distrust	Disturb	Dither
Dizzy	Dodge	Dolorous	Dominance
Dominant	Dominate	Domination	Doom
Doubt	Douche	Downcast	Downhearted
Downside	Draft	Drag	Drain
Draw	Dread	Dream	Dreary
Drive	Drop	Drown	Drunk
Dull	Dump	Dupe	Dysfunction
Eager	Earnest	Ease	Easy
Ecstatic	Editor	Educate	Eerie
Effect	Effective	Egotistical	Elated
Elation	Elder	Elect	Election
Elegant	Elite	Emancipation	Embassy
Embitter	Embrace	Emergency	Eminence
Eminent	Empathetic	Emperor	Employ
Empowerment	Emptiness	Empty	Enchanted
Encourage	Encroachment	Endorse	Enemy
Energetic	Enforce	Engage	Enjoy
Enlighten	Ennui	Enrage	Enrapture
Enslave	Ensure	Entangle	Enterprising
Entertain	Enthral	Enthusiastic	Entitle
Entrust	Envy	Eradicate	Erroneous
Error	Escape	Esoteric	Establish
Esteemed	Ethical	Euphoria	Evict
Evil	Exact	Exaggerate	Examine
Examiner	Exasperate	Excellence	Exclude
Exclusion	Excuse	Executive	Exempt
Exhaust	Exhilarate	Exonerate	Expand
Expel	Exploit	Exploration	Expose
Extend	Exterminate	Exuberant	Exultant
Fabulous	Fad	Fail	Failure
Fainthearted	Fair	Faith	Faithful
Fake	Fall	Falsify	Fame
Fan	Farce	Fascist	Fatality
Fatigue	Favour	Feed	Feeling
Felony	Fervent	Fervid	Festive
Fiasco	Fidgety	Fight	Fine
Fire	Fit	Fitness	Flagship
Flee	Floor	Flop	Flourish
Flu	Fluster	Focus	Fond
Fondness	Fool	Forbid	Force
Foreclosure	Forget	Forgive	Formidable
Fortify	Fortunate	Founder	Fraud
Fraudster	Fraudulence	Freedom	Fresh
Friendly	Frisky	Frown	Frustrate
Frustration	Fume	Fun	Funeral
Funky	Funny	Furious	Futile
Gain	Gallant	Gallantry	General
Generous	Genial	Ghost	Giddy
Gift	Giver	Glad	Glamorous
Glee	Gloom	Glorify	Glorious
Glory	Glum	God	Goddess
Godlike	Godliness	Godsend	Good
Goodness	Govern	Government	Governor
Grace	Gracious	Grand	Grant
Grasp	Gratification	Grave	Gray
Great	Greet	Greeting	Grey
Grief	Grip	Gross	Grow
Growth	Guarantee	Guard	Guidance
Guide	Guilt	Guilty	Gun
Gusto	Hack	Hail	Hamper
Hand	Handle	Hapless	Haplessness
Hard	Hardship	Harm	Harried
Harsh	Hater	Haunt	Havoc
Head	Headquarter	Heal	Healthy
Heartbreak	Heartfelt	Heaven	Heavyhearted
Hell	Herd	Hero	Heroic
Heroism	Hesitant	Hesitate	Hide
Highlight	Hilarious	Hindrance	Hire
Hoax	Hold	Homesick	Honest
Honour	Honour	Hooligan	Hooliganism
Horrendous	Hostile	House	Hug
Huge	Humorous	Humiliated	Humiliation
Humour	Humour	Hunger	Hurrah
Hurt	Hypocritical	Hysteria	Hysterical
Idiot	Ignorance	Ignorant	Ignore
Ill	Illegal	Illiteracy	Illness
Imbecile	Immobilize	Immortal	Immune
Impact	Impair	Impatient	Impel
Imperfect	Implementation	Importance	Important
Impose	Impotent	Impress	Imprison
Improve	Improvement	Impunity	Inability
Inaction	Inadequate	Incapable	Incapacitate
Incense	Incompetence	Inconsiderate	Inconvenience
Increase	Indecisive	Independent	Indestructible
Indifference	Indifferent	Indignant	Indignation
Indispensability	Indoctrinate	Indomitable	Induce
Ineffective	Infatuated	Infection	Inferior
Inflamed	Influence	Infringement	Infuriate
Inhibit	Initiate	Injured	Injury
Injustice	Innovate	Innovation	Inquisitive
Insecure	Insensitive	Insignificant	Insipid
Insist	Inspect	Inspiration	Inspirational
Inspire	Instruct	Instruction	Instructor
Insult	Intact	Integrity	Intelligent
Interrogated	Interrupt	Interruption	Intimidate
Intimidation	Intricate	Invincible	Invite
Involve	Invulnerable	Irate	Ironic
Irony	Irrational	Irresistible	Irresponsible
Irreversible	Irritate	Isolate	Itchy
Jaunty	Jealous	Jeopardy	Jesus
Jewel	Jocular	Join	Joke
Judge	Judgment	Jumpy	Jurisdiction
Juror	Jury	Justice	Justifiable
Justified	Keen	Keeper	Kill
Kind	King	Kiss	Kudos
Lack	Lackadaisical	Lag	Laid
Landlord	Landmark	Laugh	Launch
Lawsuit	Lay	Lazy	Lead
Leader	Leadership	Leak	Leave
Legal	Legislation	Legislative	Legislator
Lenient	Let	Lethargic	Lethargy
Liar	Libellous	Liberate	Liberation
Liberty	Lieutenant	Lifesaver	Lighthearted
Like	Limit	Limitation	Limited
Litigation	Lively	Loathe	Lobby
Lol	Loom	Loose	Lord
Lovable	Love	Lovely	Loving
Lowest	Loyal	Loyalty	Luck
Lucky	Lurk	Mad	Maddening
Madly	Madness	Maintain	Majority
Manage	Management	Manager	Mandatory
Manipulate	Marshall	Marvel	Master
Masterpiece	Matter	Mature	Mayor
Meaningful	Meaningless	Medal	Mediocrity
Meditative	Melancholy	Menace	Mentor
Merciless	Mercy	Merry	Mess
Methodical	Might	Minister	Ministry
Miracle	Mirth	Misbehave	Mischief
Miserable	Misery	Misgiving	Misinformation
Misinterpret	Misleading	Misread	Misreport
Misrepresentation	Miss	Mistake	Misunderstand
Misunderstanding	Moan	Mock	Monger
Monitor	Monopolize	Monopoly	Moody
Mope	Motivate	Mourn	Move
Muffle	Murder	Murderer	Myth
Naive	Nasty	Natural	Needy
Negative	Negativity	Neglect	Nervous
Neutralize	Nice	Nifty	Nix
Nobility	Noble	Noisy	Nomination
Nonsense	Nosey	Notorious	Novel
Numb	Nuts	Obey	Obliterate
Obnoxious	Obscene	Obsessed	Obsolete
Obstacle	Obstinate	Odd	Offend
Offender	Officer	Officiate	Offline
Ominous	Opportunity	Oppress	Oppression
Optimism	Optimistic	Order	Ordinance
Organise	Oust	Outcry	Outfit
Outmanoeuvre	Outrage	Outreach	Outstanding
Overbearing	Overjoy	Overload	Overlook
Overpower	Overreact	Overrun	Overseer
Oversell	Oversimplification	Overstate	Overthrow
Overweight	Overwhelm	Oxymoron	Pain
Palace	Paradise	Paradox	Paramount
Pardon	Parley	Parliament	Pass
Passionate	Passive	Pathetic	Patrol
Patron	Patronage	Patronize	Pay
Peace	Peaceful	Penalty	Pensive
Perfect	Peril	Perjury	Permission
Permit	Perpetrator	Perplex	Persecute
Persuade	Perturb	Pesky	Pessimism
Pessimistic	Petrify	Phobic	Pick
Picturesque	Pique	Piteous	Pitiless
Pity	Playful	Pleasant	Please
Pleasure	Poise	Poison	Policeman
Politician	Pollute	Polluter	Pompous
Poor	Pope	Popular	Positive
Posse	Possess	Possessive	Postpone
Potency	Poverty	Power	Powerful
Praise	Pray	Preacher	Predominate
Preeminent	Prepare	Preside	Presidency
President	Pressure	Prestige	Pretend
Pretty	Prevent	Prevention	Priest
Prince	Principal	Prison	Prisoner
Privilege	Proactive	Problem	Proclaim
Proclamation	Proctor	Professor	Profiteer
Progress	Prohibit	Prohibition	Prominent
Promise	Promote	Prompt	Propaganda
Proponent	Proprietor	Prosecute	Prospect
Prosperous	Protection	Protest	Proud
Provide	Providence	Provoke	Pseudoscience
Punish	Punitive	Pushy	Puzzle
Quake	Queen	Question	Quiet
Racism	Racist	Rage	Rainy
Rant	Rapture	Rash	Ratify
Reach	Reaffirm	Reassure	Rebellion
Recession	Reckless	Recommend	Recruit
Rector	Redeem	Refuse	Regal
Regime	Regret	Regulate	Reinforce
Reinstate	Reject	Rejoice	Relax
Relentless	Reliant	Relieve	Relish
Remorse	Repress	Repulse	Require
Requirement	Rescue	Resentful	Resign
Resolute	Resolve	Respect	Resplendent
Responsibility	Responsible	Responsive	Restful
Restless	Restore	Restrain	Restraint
Restrict	Retain	Retard	Retreat
Revenge	Revered	Revive	Reward
Rich	Ridiculous	Rig	Righteous
Righteousness	Rigorous	Riot	Risk
Rob	Robber	Robe	Robust
Romance	Rope	Royal	Royalty
Rugged	Ruin	Rule	Ruler
Run	Sabotage	Sad	Sadden
Safe	Safeguard	Safety	Salient
Sanction	Sappy	Sarcastic	Satisfied
Save	Say	Scam	Scapegoat
Sceptical	School	Scoff	Scold
Scoop	Scorn	Scream	Screw
Scumbag	Sedition	Seduce	Select
Self-confident	Self-contained	Self-deluded	Selfish
Senate	Senator	Sentence	Sequester
Serene	Sergeant	Settle	Severe
Sexy	Shaky	Shame	Share
Shatter	Shelter	Sheriff	Shield
Ship	Shock	Shoot	Short-sighted
Shortage	Show	Shrew	Shut
Shy	Sick	Sigh	Significance
Silence	Sincere	Singleminded	Sir
Sceptic	Scepticism	Slam	Slash
Sleeplessness	Slick	Sluggish	Smart
Smear	Smile	Smog	Smother
Sneaky	Snub	Sober	Solemn
Solid	Solidarity	Solution	Solve
Sombre	Soothe	Sophisticated	Sore
Sorrow	Sorry	Sovereign	Sovereignty
Spam	Spare	Spark	Sparkle
Speak	Speculative	Spirit	Spiteful
Splendid	Sponsor	Sprightly	Spur
Squad	Squelch	Stab	Stabilise
Stable	Stall	Stamina	Stampede
Standard	Startle	Starve	State
Stately	Statesman	Statuesque	Status
Statute	Steadfast	Steal	Steer
Step	Stereotype	Stifle	Still
Stimulate	Stingy	Stipulate	Stipulation
Stop	Stout	Straight	Strangle
Strength	Strengthen	Stress	Stricken
Strict	Strike	Struggle	Strut
Stubborn	Stud	Stun	Suave
Subdue	Substantial	Subversion	Subversive
Subvert	Suffer	Suffrage	Sulk
Summon	Sunshine	Super	Superb
Superintendent	Superiority	Supply	Support
Suppose	Suppression	Supremacy	Supreme
Surmount	Surpass	Surveillance	Survive
Suspect	Suspend	Suspicious	Swear
Swift	Swindle	Sympathetic	Sympathy
Take	Teach	Tear	Tend
Tender	Tense	Tension	Term
Terrible	Terrify	Test	Thank
Thankful	Thorny	Thoughtful	Thoughtless
Threat	Threaten	Thwart	Timid
Tolerant	Toothless	Top	Torture
Totalitarian	Totalitarianism	Tout	Tragedy
Tranquil	Trap	Trauma	Travesty
Treason	Treasure	Treasurer	Tremble
Trick	Triumphal	Trophy	Trouble
Trust	Try	Tyranny	Ugly
Unacceptable	Unappreciated	Unapproved	Unaware
Unbelievable	Unbelieving	Unbiased	Uncertain
Unclear	Uncomfortable	Unconcerned	Unconfirmed
Unconvinced	Uncredited	Undaunted	Undecided
Underestimate	Undermine	Undeserving	Undesirable
Undisputed	Uneasy	Unemployment	Unequal
Unethical	Unfair	Unfocused	Unfulfilled
Unhappy	Unhealthy	Unified	Unimpressed
Unintelligent	Union	Unjust	Unloved
Unmatched	Unmotivated	Unprofessional	Unresearched
Unrestricted	Unsatisfied	Unsecured	Unsettled
Unsophisticated	Unstable	Unstoppable	Unsupported
Unsure	Untarnished	Unwanted	Unwavering
Unwilling	Unwillingness	Unworthy	Upset
Upsetting	Uptight	Urge	Urgent
Usurp	Vague	Validate	Validates
Validating	Vanquish	Verdict	Vest
Veto	Vexation	Vexing	Vice
Vicious	Victim	Victimize	Victimizes
Victimizing	Victor	Victorious	Vigilant
Vile	Vindicate	Vindicates	Vindicating
Violate	Violates	Violating	Violence
Violent	Virtuous	Virulent	Vision
Visionary	Vitality	Vitamin	Vitriolic
Vivacious	Vociferous	Walkout	War
Warfare	Warm	Warmth	Warn
Warning	Waste	Wasting	Waver
Weak	Weakness	Wealth	Wealthy
Weary	Weep	Welcome	Welcomes
Whimsical	Willingness	Win	Wish
Withdrawal	Withstand	Woo	Word
World-famous	Worse	Worsen	Worship
Worst	Worth	Worthless	Worthy
Wow	Wrathful	Wreck	Wrong
Yearning	Youthful	Yucky	Yummy

Although not included in the list above, these power words’ past tense and plural forms are also considered valid power words. You are welcome to bookmark the list and reference it whenever you need.

See also 633 Powerful Emotional Words to Boost Your Content Strategy Now.