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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sullen
Until the UFOs arrive, the sullen grandeur of OK Computer will have to suffice for Yorke, and the rest of us, too.
—
Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The Osbournes, set in the family’s L.A. home in the early aughts, deflated the patriarch’s imposing public perception, revealing a noisy life beset by his sullen teens, wife and wrangler, and everyone’s zany dogs.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 July 2025
The model, a sullen blonde with messy pageboy hair, looked vaguely sick in it.
—Mona Awad, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
The reflection of my withered face, with deep sullen eyes, blurs behind raindrops sliding down the glass.
—Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sullen
Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The Osbournes, set in the family’s L.A. home in the early aughts, deflated the patriarch’s imposing public perception, revealing a noisy life beset by his sullen teens, wife and wrangler, and everyone’s zany dogs.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 July 2025
The model, a sullen blonde with messy pageboy hair, looked vaguely sick in it.
—Mona Awad, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
The reflection of my withered face, with deep sullen eyes, blurs behind raindrops sliding down the glass.
—Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sullen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sullen
Adjective
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These early, somber moments cast a mood, but the film is eager to hold Polly’s feet to some fire.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The primary hue associated with passion and confidence is the instant energy boost your wardrobe needs—especially during the fall and winter, when the somber mood outside often gets expressed in neutrals-heavy style.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, things are looking bleak for John Cena’s Chris Smith.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
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But while these models are enthrall Environmental activist Jane Goodall, who died Wednesday at the age of 91, understood the bleak projections from climate scientists — and the economic and political structures that hinder change.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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However, such symptoms are hard to attribute to vaccines because infants can be irritable or fussy regardless of vaccination.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
19 Sep. 2025
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When the caffeine wears off, children may have a headache and feel irritable or tired.—
Dr. Mark Corkins,
Boston Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As gaming becomes a more mainstream activity, however, these stereotypes grow more archaic, and a new study from the Entertainment Software Association suggests that the universal image of a gamer as a lonely young male is not just outdated, but inaccurate.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
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His lonely white panel cap, the lucky charm the Jays wore for four-straight victories, sat alone on a cushioned chair.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Still, Ortega’s performance proves that sulky, baleful gravity doesn’t have to lose its strange luster over time (a third season has already been announced).—
Tom Gliatto,
PEOPLE,
3 Sep. 2025
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Founder Max Siegelman drew upon his family’s harness racing roots thanks to the boarding and teaching facility for the sport involving the powerful animal, a sulky and human direction that dates to the 1800s in the US.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
According to Agnifilo, three medical experts have diagnosed Combs with post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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The next seven months are a gray, depressive blur.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In the solo debut for the writer-director Shih-Ching Tsou, a mother and her two daughters—one a surly teenager, the other a curious child—build a home in Taipei.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
20 Sep. 2025
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In the span of a few months rehabbing in Los Angeles in 2023, an oft-surly 40-year-old quarterback became pals with a 25-year-old goofball of a running back.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Smithsonian Institution, which includes all the Smithsonian museums, plans to go dark after Saturday if the government shutdown continues beyond then, according to its website.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
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Polselli brings a painterly gaze to scenes of quiet dread, such as a figure gradually appearing out of thick brush as two women make their way home through dark woods.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sullen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sullen. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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