sulk

[suhlk]

See more synonyms for sulk on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to remain silent or hold oneself aloof in a sullen, ill-humored, or offended mood: Promise me that you won't sulk if I want to leave the party early.

noun

a state or fit of sulking.
sulks, ill-humor shown by sulking: to be in the sulks.
Also sulk·er. a person who sulks.

Origin of sulk

First recorded in 1775–85; back formation from sulky

Related formsout·sulk, verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for sulk

Contemporary Examples

The cop swiftly rebukes Bieber, who then goes off to cross his arms and sulk petulantly in a corner.
Watch Justin Bieber Try to Walk in a Straight Line After His DUI Arrest
Amy Zimmerman
February 28, 2014
Every interaction with her was fraught lest she would throw a sulk or sink into a pout.
Karl Taro Greenfeld on His Novel “Triburbia,” Con Men, and Literary Success
Nick McDonell
August 9, 2012
If the Supreme Court overturns the health-care law, Democrats will be tempted to sulk and feel sorry for themselves.
Michael Tomasky: Democrats Should Come Out Swinging Against the Court
Michael Tomasky
June 24, 2012
Some will go off and sulk, and their followers will stay home on Election Day.
The Tea Party vs. the GOP
Adam Clymer
January 26, 2010

Historical Examples

I ain't hired him to loaf 'round all day with Ruby and to sulk when she's gone.
The Underdog
F. Hopkinson Smith
Sometimes, however, the case is worse, and Evu tries to sulk.
Lotus Buds
Amy Carmichael
He did not sulk in his tent, however, but pursued his work with unabated zeal.
Hymns and Hymnwriters of Denmark
Jens Christian Aaberg
When I got home Rose came by herself to attend on me, but she continued to sulk.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete
Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
I hope I did not do anything so boyish as to sulk there, but of that I am not sure.
The Rose of Old St. Louis
Mary Dillon

British Dictionary definitions for sulk

sulk

verb

(intr) to be silent and resentful because of a wrong done to one, esp in order to gain sympathy; brood sullenlythe child sulked in a corner after being slapped

noun

(often plural) a state or mood of feeling resentful or sullenhe's in a sulk because he lost the game; he's got the sulks
Also: sulker a person who sulks

Word Origin

C18: perhaps a back formation from sulky 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sulk

v.

1781, back-formation of sulky (adj.). Related: Sulked; sulking.

sulk

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for sulk

Contemporary Examples

The cop swiftly rebukes Bieber, who then goes off to cross his arms and sulk petulantly in a corner.

Every interaction with her was fraught lest she would throw a sulk or sink into a pout.

If the Supreme Court overturns the health-care law, Democrats will be tempted to sulk and feel sorry for themselves.

Some will go off and sulk, and their followers will stay home on Election Day.

Historical Examples

I ain't hired him to loaf 'round all day with Ruby and to sulk when she's gone.

Sometimes, however, the case is worse, and Evu tries to sulk.

He did not sulk in his tent, however, but pursued his work with unabated zeal.

When I got home Rose came by herself to attend on me, but she continued to sulk.

I hope I did not do anything so boyish as to sulk there, but of that I am not sure.

sulk

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for sulk

v.

Origin of sulk