1
as in somber
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
sullen skies that matched our mood on the day of the funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pouting
given to or displaying a resentful silence and often irritability
sullen and bored at his in-laws' house, he couldn't wait for the holidays to end
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sullen
But the boy had become impatient and sullen, his hands shoved in the pockets of his jacket.
—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Although Robbins could be talkative and engaging particularly when discussing his hometown Houston sports teams, there were also periods of sullen silence and self-medication.
—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Teenagers do not, as a rule, have to go through a sullen phase.
—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Belif Aqua Bomb Cooling Eye Gel The Belif Aqua Bomb Cooling Eye Gel is a lightweight, multi-benefit formula that treats puffy, dull, or otherwise sullen-looking skin beneath the eyes.
—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sullen
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Although Robbins could be talkative and engaging particularly when discussing his hometown Houston sports teams, there were also periods of sullen silence and self-medication.
—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Teenagers do not, as a rule, have to go through a sullen phase.
—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Belif Aqua Bomb Cooling Eye Gel The Belif Aqua Bomb Cooling Eye Gel is a lightweight, multi-benefit formula that treats puffy, dull, or otherwise sullen-looking skin beneath the eyes.
—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sullen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sullen
Adjective
-
The film breathes in a dynamic way, the last few beats taking a startling turn toward a somber wistfulness.
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The hilltop De Smet Cemetery strikes a somber note.
Adjective
-
Cancer could be affectionate and chatty one moment, and withdrawn and irritable the next, with little to no explanation.
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They can be withdrawn or irritable.
Adjective
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My father is a can-do, glass-half-full guy, a quality that has always felt like a rebuke of my own bleak world view, which makes the poor man literally wince.
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The numbers were even bleaker in other categories.
Adjective
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Skillfully carrying the tale as Kimberly is Ann Morrison, marvelously placing the qualities of a bubbly when not sulky teen in the voice and body of an older woman.
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Keep an eye out for chartreuses, browns, and bright sky blues, along with sulky mauves and beiges in a plaster finish.
Adjective
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But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.
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One casualty was his lovely Princeton apartment, which never came together, more grad-student than dean in its feel, a lonely refrigerator in the kitchen holding only a cup of iced coffee or a jar of mayonnaise.
Adjective
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Or a surly, vengeful Robin Hood, by Kevin Costner.
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The ones who did were a bit sour and surly.
Adjective
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Two-thirds of respondents afflicted with alpha-gal reported anxiety or depressive disorders in a 2025 University of Missouri survey.
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There are four basic types of the disorder, which are characterized by periods of elation and hyperactivity known as manic episodes, which are then followed by depressive stages where the patient experiences feelings of sadness and depression.
Adjective
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Kelly made a pouty face at Correa, who started walking toward the Dodger dugout.
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Chanelling Miss Sara Bellum from the Powerpuff Girls, her secretarial deep burgundy ringlets were cut into pouty bangs that almost totally concealed her eyes.
Cite this Entry
“Sullen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sullen. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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