sullen 🔊
Meaning of sullen
Showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence or reserve.
Key Difference
Sullen implies a silent, resentful gloominess, often stemming from a lack of interest or dissatisfaction, whereas its synonyms may express more active displeasure or overt sadness.
Example of sullen
- After losing the match, he sat in a sullen silence, refusing to speak to anyone.
- The sullen skies matched her mood as she walked home alone.
Synonyms
morose 🔊
Meaning of morose
Sullen and ill-tempered, often with a sense of deep gloom.
Key Difference
Morose suggests a more prolonged and intense melancholy, while sullen is often a temporary mood.
Example of morose
- He became morose after the company's financial losses were announced.
- Her morose demeanor made the party atmosphere uncomfortable.
glum 🔊
Meaning of glum
Looking or feeling dejected; dispirited.
Key Difference
Glum is less resentful than sullen and more about general sadness.
Example of glum
- The team was glum after their unexpected defeat.
- She gave a glum smile when she heard the news.
surly 🔊
Meaning of surly
Bad-tempered and unfriendly.
Key Difference
Surly implies a more aggressive or rude attitude compared to sullen's silent resentment.
Example of surly
- The surly waiter ignored our requests repeatedly.
- His surly reply made it clear he wasn’t in the mood to talk.
dour 🔊
Meaning of dour
Relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance.
Key Difference
Dour suggests a stern, unyielding demeanor, while sullen is more about silent sulkiness.
Example of dour
- The principal’s dour expression intimidated the students.
- His dour personality made it hard to approach him.
sulky 🔊
Meaning of sulky
Morose, bad-tempered, and resentful; refusing to be cooperative.
Key Difference
Sulky is more childishly petulant, while sullen is a deeper, quieter resentment.
Example of sulky
- The sulky teenager refused to join the family dinner.
- She gave a sulky response when asked to help.
moody 🔊
Meaning of moody
Given to frequent changes of mood; temperamental.
Key Difference
Moody implies unpredictability, while sullen is a consistent gloomy silence.
Example of moody
- His moody behavior made it hard to predict his reactions.
- She’s been moody ever since the project was delayed.
brooding 🔊
Meaning of brooding
Engaged in deep or serious thought, often with a sense of gloom.
Key Difference
Brooding suggests deep, often dark contemplation, while sullen is more about silent irritation.
Example of brooding
- He sat in a brooding silence, lost in his thoughts.
- Her brooding expression hinted at unresolved anger.
saturnine 🔊
Meaning of saturnine
Slow and gloomy in temperament; cold and steady in mood.
Key Difference
Saturnine has a more melancholic and reserved tone, while sullen is more about silent resentment.
Example of saturnine
- His saturnine personality made him seem unapproachable.
- The artist’s saturnine paintings reflected his inner turmoil.
grumpy 🔊
Meaning of grumpy
Easily annoyed and irritable.
Key Difference
Grumpy is more about general irritability, while sullen is a quieter, resentful mood.
Example of grumpy
- He’s always grumpy before his morning coffee.
- The old man gave a grumpy reply when asked for directions.
Conclusion
- Sullen is best used when describing someone who is silently resentful or gloomy.
- Morose can be used when someone is deeply and persistently gloomy without the silent resentment of sullen.
- Glum is suitable for temporary sadness or disappointment without the bitterness of sullen.
- Surly should be used when someone is not just silent but also rude or unfriendly.
- Dour fits a stern, unapproachable demeanor rather than just silent irritation.
- Sulky is ideal for describing childish or petulant resentment.
- Moody works for unpredictable changes in temperament rather than a steady gloomy silence.
- Brooding is best when someone is deeply lost in dark thoughts.
- Saturnine describes a cold, melancholic temperament rather than temporary resentment.
- Grumpy is for general irritability rather than a specific silent sulkiness.