sulk

[ suhlk ]

/ sʌlk /

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See synonyms for: sulk / sulked / sulking / sulks 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 sulker. a person who sulks.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

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Origin of sulk

First recorded in 1775–85; back formation from sulky

OTHER WORDS FROM sulk

outsulk, verb (used with object)

Words nearby sulk

sulfur trioxide, sulfuryl, sulfuryl chloride, sulfuryl group, sulindac, sulk, sulky, Sulla, sullage, sullen, sullenly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sulk in a sentence

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

Common prudence forced them to sulk all day in the stall of the khan, while Musa went forth to make his discoveries.
God Wills It!|William Stearns Davis
They sulk and pout, worse than humans, if one act wins more applause than another.
David Lannarck, Midget|George S. Harney
Sadie did not often sulk, and he was grateful because she said nothing about what had happened on the previous night.
The Girl From Keller's|Harold Bindloss
He used to sulk for a week afterwards, avoiding Alan in the 'quarter' and ostentatiously burying himself in a group of boarders.
Sinister Street, vol. 1|Compton Mackenzie
"Elvira can sulk for the rest of eternity, if she wants to," Mea said now without the slightest trace of sadness.
Maezli|Johanna Spyri

British Dictionary definitions for sulk

sulk

/ (sʌlk) /

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 for sulk

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

sulk

Origin of sulk

OTHER WORDS FROM sulk

Words nearby sulk

Words related to sulk

How to use sulk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sulk

Word Origin for sulk