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Definitions

sullen

[suhl-uhn] / ˈsʌl ən /
ADJECTIVE
brooding, upset
Synonyms
STRONGEST
churlish dour gloomy glum grumpy hostile morose petulant somber surly ugly
WEAK
bad-tempered cheerless crabbed crabby cross cynical dismal dull fretful frowning glowering gruff heavy ill-humored inert irritable malevolent malicious malign mean moody obstinate ornery out of sorts peevish perverse pessimistic pouting pouty querulous saturnine silent sour sourpussed stubborn sulking sulky tenebrific tenebrous unsociable uptight
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable bright cheerful friendly gentle happy joyful kind nice pleasant
WEAK
grinning

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He said the teenager came across as an "unremarkable, sullen, untalkative, gawky teenage boy" during their sessions together.

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

Those sullen teens trailing their parents toward the taco truck—why the hooded sweatshirts in 84-degree heat and 72-percent humidity?

From Slate • Aug. 13, 2025

Last Thursday, zookeepers noticed the usually playful and energetic bear became lethargic and sullen.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 11, 2024

The courtroom sketch artists have depicted defendant Trump as bored, sullen, hostile, occasionally happy, and with a look of contempt and disgust on his face.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2024

Now she is cynical, sullen, and a deeper mystery every day.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson