SULKING Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

sulking 1 of 2

adjective

as in sulky

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

sulking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sulk

as in pouting

to silently go about in a bad mood the toddler would sulk for hours whenever he didn't get his way

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sulking

Adjective

Laura and Mary will dance, when not getting in one another’s hair, or sulking. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 With America’s 250th anniversary approaching, Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha said Democrats are busy sulking while the country prepares to celebrate the nation’s history and achievements. — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 25 June 2026 In an accompanying cartoon, Spark is caricatured as a sulking giant, tottering above the Tuscan countryside in a pair of high heels. — Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 Both girls said that Jenkins and Powell argued that day, and Powell appeared to be sulking. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026 Shift work creates such high stress that it has been called shift sulking. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026 Davis, wearing a particularly Bo Peep-y set of pink panniers, turns the character into a masterpiece of clownery, sulking delightfully and throwing magnificent tantrums while her arrangement of topknots—the hair designer is Robert Pickens—bounces on her head like a prize curly lamb. — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025 His owner shared a viral TikTok sound over the clip, from when another owner went through the very same thing with her own sulking dog. — Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

Verb

But nothing good came from sulking. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 19 May 2026 With that goal in mind, Dijkstra has constructed a scheme to ensure that King Radovid stops drinking and sulking over Jaskier and embraces his role as one of the few remaining leaders who can oppose Emhyr’s army. — Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sulking

Adjective

Suzanne, the sulky, artistic type, scowls and pointedly ignores their noisy energy.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
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.

— Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026

Definition of sulky

Verb

During the first day of the charter, Sandy notices that Nathan is punishing Joe for pouting in the previous charter, which wins her over to Joe’s side.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Kardashian was snapped sitting in front of the pair, pouting while flashing a peace sign at the camera during a break from filming.

— Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of pouting

Adjective

Shortly after the invasion of London begins, the capital is under rebel control, so what is this previously quiet and sullen teenage King to do?

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
The couple hires Caleb as a lookout and braves his sullen outbursts, learning more about the lonely, angry youth as the murders draw nearer.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of sullen

Verb

Looking on was Trooper Major, body camera footage shows, frowning in the sun as the deputies followed guidance from a portable defibrillator device.

— Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
This focuses readers on the all-black uniforms of the veiled pupils, who—in a long frame at the center of the page—sit between the looming, frowning teacher on the right and Marji on the left, who stands up to explain that her uncle was executed by the Islamic regime.

— Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026

Definition of frowning

Verb

That is one of the tantalizing questions bubbling up in A Talent for Murder, in which Helen Mirren embodies Highsmith in all her devious, scowling genius.

— Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Whether his teams were good or bad, his outspoken and occasionally scowling personality almost always commanded the room.

— Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of scowling

Browse Nearby Words

sulkiness

sulking

sulk(s)

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Style

“Sulking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sulking. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sulking

adjective

verb

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