How to Act Angry Over Text

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 18, 2021 References

It is good to know how to act angry over text, whether you want to trick someone into believing that you are, scare off someone who is pestering you, or understand how you might be giving someone that impression inadvertently. Delayed responses, short answers, and blocked or ignored texts are good ways to use evasiveness to pretend that you're angry. Angry emojis, Caps Lock, and pointed language and punctuation are all also ways to pretend to be mad at someone over text.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Being Evasive via Text

1
Wait a long time before responding to text messages. After receiving a text from someone that you dislike or want to trick, wait a while before replying. Unreturned text messages can be frustrating and irritating, and not responding right away can make you seem uninterested, cold and rude.^{[1]
X
Research source} The silent treatment is a passive aggressive expression of rage, and it can have quite an impact in communicating anger.^{[2]
X
Research source}
2
Reply with short answers. Short sentences can sound abrupt or harsh in a text message, creating a negative tone for the exchange.^{[3]
X
Research source} Texting is already a form of communication with very little intimacy, so using this medium to communicate in a curt manner is especially dismissive.^{[4]
X
Research source} Use simple "yes" or "no" answers, or terse responses such as "okay" or "fine", to convey your disinterest in prolonging conversation. For example:
- "No thanks."
- "That's okay."
- "Yes, I am.
- "That's fine."
Advertisement
3
Block texts or activate an auto-reply message. Blocking someone's texts demonstrates anger through an unwillingness to communicate. Alternatively, you can activate an auto-response to texts that an individual will receive whenever they text message you. To give the impression that you're angry, customize a message that suggests that you are avoiding the text; do not indicate any intention to respond later, as most auto-reply texts generally do.
- Example- "I am not responding to texts."

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Symbols to Express Anger

1
Send unhappy or angry faced emojis. If subtlety fails, you can use emojis to convey anger via text. Emoticons and emojis make the expression of emotions more concise and accessible, and reduce the ambiguity of a message’s meaning.^{[5]
X
Research source} The vast number of emojis available can make pretending to be angry over text a creative endeavor!
2
Text in capital letters. Typing in capital letters has come to signify yelling, making it an ideal way to sound angry in a text message.^{[6]
X
Research source} It is a visually intense and attention-grabbing way of letting someone know how you feel, and a good strategy for conveying rage. To sound angry, try writing neutral statements all in caps.
- Example- "Don't worry about it!" vs. "DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!"
3
End your sentences with periods. Ending a sentence with a period while texting is often perceived as less sincere than using no punctuation at all.^{[7]
X
Research source} The finality of using a period is considered overly formal, angry and unenthusiastic within the context of a text message, where casual writing is normally preferred.^{[8]
X
Research source} Along these lines, opt to use periods over other punctuation to make otherwise friendly phrases sound angry (e.g. “Have a good night!” vs. “Have a good night.”)

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Angry-Sounding Language

1
Use aggressive language. The most straightforward way to pretend that you're angry over text is to use mean or aggressive language to get the point across. Whether you insult the person, criticize them, or clearly state that you are angry, being hostile is the most unmistakable way to express anger. Use one of the following phrases to sound like you're mad:
- "Shut up!"
- "You'll be sorry!"
- "Get lost!"
2
Be creative with your choice of vocabulary. Emotions are shaped by culture and environment, and vocabulary can leave an impression by expressing very specific emotional experiences.^{[9]
X
Research source} Along these lines, you can express anger in an impactful way by choosing creative and unique phrasing to describe it. Instead of simply texting, "I'm angry at you", employ more intense language like:
- "I am absolutely irate with you"
- "I'm disgusted and dismayed by you"
- "I am furiously disappointed in you"
3
Use a hyperbole. Hyperbole is a literary device wherein the words or phrasing exaggerate a point by conveying something that is too over the top to be plausible.^{[10]
X
Research source} This is an excellent way to make a strong point and a very easy way to pretend to be angry. Try phrases like:
- "I'm so angry I could explode!"
- "I have never felt this mad in my entire life!"

Expert Q&A

Question

What can help you express your emotions effectively?

Ashley Smith, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Ashley Smith is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Co-Founder of Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in treating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Dr. Smith has been featured in several media publications such as The Washington Post and Thrive Global. She has also been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Anxiety Disorders and The Behavior Therapist. Dr. Smith holds a BA in Psychology from The University of Central Arkansas and both an MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from The University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Ashley Smith, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

I think the first step is to be able to identify your emotions. People often say “I feel good” or “I feel bad,” but 'good' and 'bad' are not feelings. Those are judgments. Be more precise in your language. Do a search for the term ‘feelings wheel’ and you will find images of wheels with different kinds of feelings. This can be really useful for finding a more precise word.
Question

How can you let someone know how you feel?

Ashley Smith, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Ashley Smith is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Co-Founder of Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in treating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Dr. Smith has been featured in several media publications such as The Washington Post and Thrive Global. She has also been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Anxiety Disorders and The Behavior Therapist. Dr. Smith holds a BA in Psychology from The University of Central Arkansas and both an MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from The University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Ashley Smith, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

First, get clear on what you feel. Boil it down to one word. Then say, for example, “I feel hurt when you ____.” That is probably the most effective way to communicate your feelings to someone if you're trying to get them to change or the situation involves them.
Question

What if I want to show I'm mad, but not exactly being mean? Like they "think" I'm mad?

Manasvi Nagendra

Community Answer

On text messages with your friends, be more formal. Say "Ok thank you" rather than "Thanks, tks, thnx or thx" - avoid sending them any smiling emojis and whenever you have a valid reason, send them an annoyed face - but a discreet one. Use full stops at the end to give them the impression you do not want to talk to them or you are eager to end the conversation.