sullen

[ˈsʌlən]

sullen Definition

bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy.

Using sullen: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sullen" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    He sat in sullen silence.

  • Example

    She gave him a sullen look.

  • Example

    The sky was sullen and overcast.

  • Example

    He left the room with a sullen expression on his face.

sullen Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for sullen

Antonyms for sullen

Idioms Using sullen

  • a dark and threatening cloud that suggests an impending storm

    Example

    The sky was filled with sullen clouds, and it looked like it was going to rain.

  • a rough and choppy sea that is dark and foreboding

    Example

    The sailors were afraid to venture out into the sullen sea.

  • a child who is bad-tempered, uncommunicative, and sulky

    Example

    The little girl was a sullen child who refused to talk to anyone.

Phrases with sullen

  • a bad-tempered or sulky state of mind

    Example

    She was in a sullen mood all day.

  • a quiet and uncommunicative state, often accompanied by a bad mood

    Example

    He retreated into sullen silence after the argument.

  • an adolescent who is bad-tempered, uncommunicative, and sulky

    Example

    Her son has become a sullen teenager who spends most of his time in his room.

Origins of sullen

from Old English 'sol' meaning 'dark, dusky'

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Summary: sullen in Brief

'Sullen' [ˈsʌlən] describes a person or atmosphere that is bad-tempered, sulky, or gloomy. It can be used to describe a person's mood, as in 'He sat in sullen silence,' or the weather, as in 'The sky was sullen and overcast.' The phrase 'sullen teenager' refers to an adolescent who is uncommunicative and bad-tempered, while idioms like 'a sullen cloud' and 'a sullen sea' suggest a dark and foreboding atmosphere.