Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

sullen

[ suhl-uhn ]

adjective

  1. showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence or reserve.

    Antonyms:

  2. persistently and silently ill-humored; morose.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

    Antonyms:

  3. indicative of gloomy ill humor.
  4. gloomy or dismal, as weather or a sound.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,

  5. sluggish, as a stream.

    Synonyms: ,

  6. Obsolete. malignant, as planets or influences.


sullen

/ ˈʌə /

adjective

  1. unwilling to talk or be sociable; sulky; morose
  2. sombre; gloomy

    a sullen day

  3. literary.
    sluggish; slow

    a sullen stream

  4. obsolete.
    threatening
“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

noun

  1. archaic.
    plural a sullen mood
“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
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈܱԲԱ, noun
  • ˈܱԱ, adverb
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ܱ·· adverb
  • ܱ··Ա noun
  • ܲ·ܱ· adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of sullen1

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sullen1

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

Synonym Study

See cross. See glum.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Unlike so many queer films of the time, Lee’s movie was not a sullen documentary, nor was it about HIV/AIDS or gay people who get killed or turn out to be murderers themselves.

From

After a pause, he returns to his usual sullen pitch and adds, “Well, the next generation tells time on their phones, so I figured no one was gonna miss this one.”

From

There is immense depth behind her sparkling eyes, which she can turn sullen in a second.

From

The Labour front bench looked slumped, slouched and sullen today - the realities of government still proving heavy after less than six months in office.

From

You never know how she’s going to react and while her large eyes are often sullen and sad, her expression unreadable, Dyrholm’s are wide and bright, verging on the edge of mania.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


sullagesullenly