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
For the Canucks, however, and for their fans, there’s no time to be sullen about Tocchet’s decision.
—
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
But sheer athleticism won’t turn him into a celebrity, and his demeanor doesn’t endear him to people—Majors plays Maddox as a sullen and tightly wound outcast whose environment shapes his isolation.
—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
The four-run outing snapped a stretch of nine consecutive scoreless outings for the rookie, who was consoled by each member of this veteran bullpen in the cramped, sullen visiting clubhouse in Chicago.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Ramsey is reprising their role as Ellie, the sullen American teenager who is immune to the cordyceps fungus turning everyone else into zombies and who may, therefore, hold the key to humanity’s rescue.
—Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sullen
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
But sheer athleticism won’t turn him into a celebrity, and his demeanor doesn’t endear him to people—Majors plays Maddox as a sullen and tightly wound outcast whose environment shapes his isolation.
—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
The four-run outing snapped a stretch of nine consecutive scoreless outings for the rookie, who was consoled by each member of this veteran bullpen in the cramped, sullen visiting clubhouse in Chicago.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Ramsey is reprising their role as Ellie, the sullen American teenager who is immune to the cordyceps fungus turning everyone else into zombies and who may, therefore, hold the key to humanity’s rescue.
—Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sullen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sullen
Adjective
-
For all the highs that Young Thug’s performance delivered, there comes one somber realization.—
Mark P. Braboy,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
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There are places where 28 Years Later is gorgeously somber, echoing the desolate lyricism of the first movie.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
During that bleak era, Che-Chung Tsai, a researcher at the University of Washington, contacted several companies, seeking experimental drugs for use in an animal study.—
Jon Cohen,
New Yorker,
24 June 2025
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That said, Google’s latest survey paints a bleak picture.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
But a new wrench is thrown into the works in the form of an irritable downstairs neighbor.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
27 June 2025
-
When a muscle is injured or put under extra stress, myofascial trigger points—basically, irritable spots in the muscle—can form and cause pain.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
On social media, there’s a certain kind of influencer who specializes in attracting lonely, unhappy people by brandishing mantras and principles that will allegedly lead them to more fulfilled and successful lives.—
Jia Tolentino,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
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Over in her Hawaiian home land, 19-year-old Nani (Tia Carrere) has been trying her best to fend for herself and her lonely little sister Lilo (beautifully voiced by young Daveigh Chase) in the absence of their parents.—
Michael Rechtshaffen,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Just picture it: a Bond car chase reimagined as a slow, sulky glide through fog and existential dread.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
28 June 2025
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And at the play’s pinnacle, Stewart, an extraordinary trans actress, takes the show back from the sulky boys by performing a soft-limbed voguing solo, plunging to the floor as her braids twirl around her.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Adolescents whose career or education decisions are steered by their parents often experience school burnout, increased anxiety, and depressive symptoms.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Early phases of the trial showed a significant, 60 percent remission in depressive symptoms after eight weeks.—
John Semley,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This is exactly the productive, surly, still-in-his-prime player this team needs down the middle.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
-
Rostov is exiled to the servants’ quarters in the attic, stripped of most of his possessions, and is kept under constant surveillance by a surly KGB operative (Björn Hlynur Haraldsson).—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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My challenge was to make the sequel scarier, and darker.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Executive Chef Graham House and Chef de Cuisine Graham House of Luminosa in Asheville, NC, recommend using a whole roast chicken, both dark and white meat, but placing half of it in the food processor before hand shredding the remaining bits for texture.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sullen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sullen. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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