sullen

[ suhl-uhn ]

See synonyms for: sullen sullenness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence or reserve.
persistently and silently ill-humored; morose.

indicative of gloomy ill humor.
gloomy or dismal, as weather or a sound.
sluggish, as a stream.
Obsolete. malignant, as planets or influences.

Origin of sullen

First recorded in 1565–75; earlier sollen, solain, from Middle English solein(e), solain “sole, solitary, sullen,” possibly from Vulgar Latin sōlānus (unattested), from Latin sōlus “alone, only, single”

synonym study For sullen

1. See cross. 1, 2. See glum.

Other words for sullen

2	sulky, moody, sour, cranky, bad-tempered
4	cheerless, clouded, overcast, somber, mournful, dark
5	slow, stagnant

See synonyms for sullen on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for sullen

1, 2

cheerful

See antonyms for sullen on Thesaurus.com

Other words from sullen

sul·len·ly, adverb
sul·len·ness, noun
un·sul·len, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sullen in a sentence

There is yet a deeper problem for Ryan, and it may also be pushing him into this unusual sullenness.
Paul Ryan Breaks Rank | John Batchelor | September 26, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
He will feel sorry and awkward enough, without reproach, sullenness, or cold looks from you.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley
In his fits of resentful sullenness, he hinted an intention of retiring from the Court.
The History of England from the Accession of James II. | Thomas Babington Macaulay
As for Laura, she continued in her sullenness, anticipating with resentment the assault about to be made upon her soul.
The Creators | May Sinclair
He remained perfectly silent, but I could see sullenness growing on his face.
Mrs. Falchion, Complete | Gilbert Parker

"I knows what you wants, an' I knows I don' know nothin' 'tall 'bout it," she objected, her sullenness a patent defiance.
The Winning Clue | James Hay, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for sullen

sullen

/ (ˈsʌlən) /

adjective

unwilling to talk or be sociable; sulky; morose
sombre; gloomy: a sullen day

literary sluggish; slow: a sullen stream
obsolete threatening

noun

(plural) archaic a sullen mood

Origin of sullen

C16: perhaps from Anglo-French solain (unattested), ultimately related to Latin sōlus alone

Derived forms of sullen

sullenly, adverb
sullenness, noun

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

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