Sullen
adjective
In a bad mood, upset, and not wanting to talk.
Why are you so sullen today?
Often appears as...
- sullen silence
- sullen look
adjective
Of a place or sky: dark and gloomy.
The sky was sullen, forecasting an upcoming storm.
Often appears as...
- sullen sky
- sullen clouds
Usage tips
Literary
adjective
In a bad mood, upset, and not wanting to talk.
Why are you so sullen today?
Often appears as...
- sullen silence
- sullen look
adjective
Of a place or sky: dark and gloomy.
The sky was sullen, forecasting an upcoming storm.
Often appears as...
- sullen sky
- sullen clouds
Usage tips
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Mood Indicator
Use 'sullen' to describe someone showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence.
After losing the game, he had a sullen demeanor.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Rude
'Sullen' suggests a silent moodiness, not rudeness or meanness.
Her sullen attitude was more about her sadness than any dislike for us.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary State
'Sullen' often implies a temporary state rather than a permanent trait.
He's usually cheerful, just a bit sullen today.
Pro Tip 1/3Mood Indicator
Use 'sullen' to describe someone showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence.
After losing the game, he had a sullen demeanor.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Rude
'Sullen' suggests a silent moodiness, not rudeness or meanness.
Her sullen attitude was more about her sadness than any dislike for us.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary State
'Sullen' often implies a temporary state rather than a permanent trait.
He's usually cheerful, just a bit sullen today.
Pro Tip 1/3Mood Indicator
Use 'sullen' to describe someone showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence.
After losing the game, he had a sullen demeanor.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Rude
'Sullen' suggests a silent moodiness, not rudeness or meanness.
Her sullen attitude was more about her sadness than any dislike for us.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary State
'Sullen' often implies a temporary state rather than a permanent trait.
He's usually cheerful, just a bit sullen today.
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Video examples
Trusting the ensemble -...
he'd write a symphony to make the point I'm going to play just a very tail end of this symphony now and you'll see the orchestra in a kind of sullen revolt and please let's say the Prince did take the tip from the orchestral performance the musicians were reunited with their families but I think it sums up my talk rather well this that where there is
Video examples
Machine intelligence...
you know, the one that ranks everything and decides what to show you from all the friends and pages you follow. Should you be shown another baby picture? A sullen note from an acquaintance? An important but difficult news item?
Video examples
Following the lights PIPE...
was so sullen I lived to New York in like less than a week you can imagine how my parents felt very hurt and it is me because of my impulsiveness but I wanted to leave this romantic life as an
Video examples
Trusting the ensemble -...
he'd write a symphony to make the point I'm going to play just a very tail end of this symphony now and you'll see the orchestra in a kind of sullen revolt and please let's say the Prince did take the tip from the orchestral performance the musicians were reunited with their families but I think it sums up my talk rather well this that where there is
Video examples
Machine intelligence...
you know, the one that ranks everything and decides what to show you from all the friends and pages you follow. Should you be shown another baby picture? A sullen note from an acquaintance? An important but difficult news item?
Video examples
Following the lights PIPE...
was so sullen I lived to New York in like less than a week you can imagine how my parents felt very hurt and it is me because of my impulsiveness but I wanted to leave this romantic life as an
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Ezra Taft Benson
American Leader
What does it mean to love someone with all your heart? It means to love with all your emotional feelings and with all your devotion. Surely when you love your wife with all your heart, you cannot demean her, criticize her, find fault with her, or abuse her by words, sullen behavior, or actions.
Quote examples
Isabel Allende
Chilean Writer
I was such a sullen, angry, sad kid. I'm sure there are writers who have had happy childhoods, but what are you going to write about? No ghosts, no fear. I'm very happy that I had an unhappy and uncomfortable childhood.
Quote examples
Thomas Carlyle
Scottish Philosopher
Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness, and its power of endurance - the cheerful man will do more in the same time, will do it; better, will preserve it longer, than the sad or sullen.
Quote examples
Fiona Apple
American Musician
Everybody sees me as this sullen and insecure little thing. Those are just the sides of me that I feel it's necessary to show because no one else seems to be showing them.
Quote examples
Amy Chua
American Educator
There's a lot of rudeness and sullen behavior and kids that are very entitled and spoiled, just buy me more stuff. I didn't want to raise kids like that.
Quote examples
George A. Smith
American Clergyman
The heart which finds life in material wealth is usually certain to go farther and seek for more in the satisfaction of base and sullen appetites.
Quote examples
Irvine Welsh
Scottish Novelist
It's really odd that I've got this kind of sullen reputation - I never saw myself that way.
Quote examples
Saint Augustine
Saint
We cannot pass our guardian angel's bounds, resigned or sullen, he will hear our sighs.
Quote examples
Horace
Roman Poet
Usually the modest person passes for someone reserved, the silent for a sullen person.
Quote examples
Jon Hamm
American Actor
I like to laugh and have a good time rather than brood and be sullen.
Quote examples
Ezra Taft Benson
American Leader
What does it mean to love someone with all your heart? It means to love with all your emotional feelings and with all your devotion. Surely when you love your wife with all your heart, you cannot demean her, criticize her, find fault with her, or abuse her by words, sullen behavior, or actions.
Quote examples
Isabel Allende
Chilean Writer
I was such a sullen, angry, sad kid. I'm sure there are writers who have had happy childhoods, but what are you going to write about? No ghosts, no fear. I'm very happy that I had an unhappy and uncomfortable childhood.
Quote examples
Thomas Carlyle
Scottish Philosopher
Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness, and its power of endurance - the cheerful man will do more in the same time, will do it; better, will preserve it longer, than the sad or sullen.
Quote examples
Fiona Apple
American Musician
Everybody sees me as this sullen and insecure little thing. Those are just the sides of me that I feel it's necessary to show because no one else seems to be showing them.
Quote examples
Amy Chua
American Educator
There's a lot of rudeness and sullen behavior and kids that are very entitled and spoiled, just buy me more stuff. I didn't want to raise kids like that.
Quote examples
George A. Smith
American Clergyman
The heart which finds life in material wealth is usually certain to go farther and seek for more in the satisfaction of base and sullen appetites.
Quote examples
Irvine Welsh
Scottish Novelist
It's really odd that I've got this kind of sullen reputation - I never saw myself that way.
Quote examples
Saint Augustine
Saint
We cannot pass our guardian angel's bounds, resigned or sullen, he will hear our sighs.
Quote examples
Horace
Roman Poet
Usually the modest person passes for someone reserved, the silent for a sullen person.
Quote examples
Jon Hamm
American Actor
I like to laugh and have a good time rather than brood and be sullen.
Example 1 of 10
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