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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sullen different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sullen are crabbed, gloomy, glum, morose, saturnine, sulky, and surly. While all these words mean "showing a forbidding or disagreeable mood," sullen implies a silent ill humor and a refusal to be sociable.

remained sullen amid the festivities

In what contexts can crabbed take the place of sullen?

While the synonyms crabbed and sullen are close in meaning, crabbed applies to a forbidding morose harshness of manner.

the school's notoriously crabbed headmaster

When would gloomy be a good substitute for sullen?

Although the words gloomy and sullen have much in common, gloomy implies a depression in mood making for seeming sullenness or glumness.

a gloomy mood ushered in by bad news

When could glum be used to replace sullen?

In some situations, the words glum and sullen are roughly equivalent. However, glum suggests a silent dispiritedness.

a glum candidate left to ponder a stunning defeat

How do morose and glum relate to one another, in the sense of sullen?

Morose adds to glum an element of bitterness or misanthropy.

morose job seekers who are inured to rejection

When might saturnine be a better fit than sullen?

The meanings of saturnine and sullen largely overlap; however, saturnine describes a heavy forbidding aspect or suggests a bitter disposition.

a saturnine cynic always finding fault

When is it sensible to use sulky instead of sullen?

The synonyms sulky and sullen are sometimes interchangeable, but sulky suggests childish resentment expressed in peevish sullenness.

grew sulky after every spat

When can surly be used instead of sullen?

While in some cases nearly identical to sullen, surly implies gruffness and sullenness of speech or manner.

a typical surly teenager

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 sullen The collection of slab-like columns by Derek McLane, lit in sickly, sullen colors by Natasha Katz, could be anywhere. Jesse Green, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025 My partner came home from work to find a sullen child whimpering in his room. Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2025 In the film, Adèle Haenel plays Héloïse, a sullen 18th-century French daughter of privilege, and Noémie Merlant plays Marianne, the adventurous artist hired to paint her. Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2025 Madison, whose full name is Mikaela Madison Rosberg, first rose to fame for the role of a sullen teenager in the FX comedy Better Things. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sullen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sullen
Adjective
  • Despite the somber subject matter, cruise ship visitors shouldn’t hesitate to make the museum a priority.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Dedicated to the 184 victims who died at the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77 during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the somber National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial features 184 illuminated benches situated among 84 Crepe Myrtle trees.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • This bleak vision of Hollywood makes for a fascinating backdrop.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
  • If Southampton fail to eke out a point on Saturday in the clash of the doomed, things look decidedly bleak.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • It is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, and has been used for treatment of back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and irritable bowel disease.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
  • And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The report tracks a decline in social connections—especially among young people—and shows that half of adults are lonely, linking it to billions of dollars in health care costs.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Ruth Buzzi, who was so hilarious as the lonely spinster Gladys Ormphby, the lady who swung her handbag as a lethal weapon, on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has died.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Playing Dawn Summers, Trachtenberg joined the show in 2000, as Buffy's younger sister, who was at times bratty, sulky, and a bit of a klutz — but nonetheless offered a new and exciting sibling dynamic for the show to explore.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Horse race At the harness racing week on the Freehold Raceway in New Jersey: a reverse race with the sulky fixed in front of the horse - 1930.
    Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Even among those who said the pandemic had no long-term effects on their friendships, 38% still reported depressive symptoms.
    Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
  • Some studies suggest that kids who are more likely to seek out adult content could struggle with lower self-esteem, emotional problems, body image concerns, or depressive symptoms.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Only this time, the cheerleader and the zombie are camp counselors for a group of surly vampires.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Dunn is one of the best point-of-attack defending guards in the NBA, and his quickness, long arms and surly personality on the floor gave Murray issues.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Large amounts of larvae were in dark crevices inside the homes, including under appliances or furniture.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 10 May 2025
  • Where to watch: Max 'Another Simple Favor' In Paul Feig's dark comedy mystery sequel, crime-solving mommy vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) is shocked when fresh-out-of-jail frenemy Emily (Blake Lively) invites her to be maid of honor at her wedding in Capri.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sullen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sullen. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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