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sullen definition

sul·len (sul′ən)

adjective

  1. showing resentment and ill humor by morose, unsociable withdrawal
  2. gloomy; dismal; sad; depressing
  3. somber; dull sullen colors
  4. slow-moving; sluggish
  5. Obsolete baleful; threatening

Etymology: ME solein, alone, solitary < VL *solanus, alone < L solus, alone, sole

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

sullen Synonyms

sullen

modif.

unsociable, silent, morose, dour, glum, sulky, sour, cross, ill-humored, petulant, moody, grouchy, crabby, surly, fretful, ill-natured, ill-tempered, peevish, gloomy, gruff, querulous, churlish, saturnine, chumpish*, sourpussed*, fiddle-faced*; see also irritable.

Antonyms friendly*, sociable*, jolly.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

sullen Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • silence: However in the real world sullen silence or blank looks can be the response to even the most promising of topics.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: Stephane was in hysterics, which is great, because he's been very sullen recently for some reason.

Used with adjective complement

  • look: You remark on just how much torque they've got, and you break into a grin that would make a Cheshire cat look sullen.
sullen usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

sullen quotes

You seldom find him making love in any of his scenes or endeavouring to move the passions; his genius was too sullen and saturnine to do it gracefully, especially when he knew he came after those who had performed both to such an height.

-Dryden,John

And by his smile, I knew that sullen hall, By his dead smile I knew we stood in Hell.

-Owen,Wilfred

Why do you lie with your legs ungainly huddled, And one arm bent across your sullen cold Exhausted face?

-Sassoon, Siegfried Louvain

sullen quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"sullen." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/sullen>

APA Style

sullen. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/sullen

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