sullenness 🔊
Meaning of sullenness
A gloomy, silent, and ill-tempered mood or disposition, often showing resentment or lack of enthusiasm.
Key Difference
Sullenness specifically implies a silent, brooding unhappiness or resentment, whereas some synonyms may involve more active expressions of anger or sadness.
Example of sullenness
- After losing the championship, the team sat in sullenness, refusing to celebrate with the winners.
- Her sullenness was evident as she stared out the window, ignoring everyone around her.
Synonyms
moroseness 🔊
Meaning of moroseness
A sullen and gloomy temperament, often marked by bitterness.
Key Difference
Moroseness is more about a general gloomy attitude, while sullenness often includes a resentful silence.
Example of moroseness
- His moroseness made the dinner party uncomfortably quiet.
- The old man’s moroseness kept the children from approaching him.
glumness 🔊
Meaning of glumness
A mood of dejection or silent unhappiness.
Key Difference
Glumness is less resentful and more about a general sadness, whereas sullenness has a sharper edge of irritation.
Example of glumness
- The rainy weather added to her glumness as she canceled her outdoor plans.
- He responded with glumness when asked about his failed business venture.
sulking 🔊
Meaning of sulking
Silent bad temper or resentment, often in a childish manner.
Key Difference
Sulking is more petulant and short-term, while sullenness can be a prolonged state.
Example of sulking
- After being scolded, the child sat in the corner sulking.
- She spent the evening sulking instead of joining the conversation.
dourness 🔊
Meaning of dourness
Stubbornness with a harsh or grim demeanor.
Key Difference
Dourness implies sternness and severity, while sullenness is more about silent resentment.
Example of dourness
- The coach’s dourness intimidated the players into silence.
- His dourness made it hard for others to approach him with good news.
moodiness 🔊
Meaning of moodiness
Frequent changes between different emotional states, often gloomy.
Key Difference
Moodiness is more about unpredictability, while sullenness is a consistent, brooding state.
Example of moodiness
- Her moodiness made it difficult for her friends to know how she would react.
- The artist’s moodiness affected his work, shifting between inspiration and despair.
resentment 🔊
Meaning of resentment
Bitter indignation at being treated unfairly.
Key Difference
Resentment is more about anger over perceived injustice, while sullenness is the silent display of that feeling.
Example of resentment
- His resentment towards his boss grew after being passed over for a promotion.
- She couldn’t hide her resentment when her ideas were ignored in the meeting.
brooding 🔊
Meaning of brooding
Engaging in deep, often dark, prolonged thought.
Key Difference
Brooding is more about deep thinking, while sullenness is the outward display of silent unhappiness.
Example of brooding
- He sat brooding over his past mistakes, unable to move forward.
- Her brooding silence worried her family.
surliness 🔊
Meaning of surliness
Bad-tempered and unfriendly behavior.
Key Difference
Surliness is more openly hostile, while sullenness is quieter and more withdrawn.
Example of surliness
- The clerk’s surliness drove customers away from the store.
- His surliness made it clear he didn’t want to be disturbed.
melancholy 🔊
Meaning of melancholy
A deep, pensive sadness, often with no obvious cause.
Key Difference
Melancholy is more sorrowful and reflective, while sullenness is resentful and withdrawn.
Example of melancholy
- The melancholy of the abandoned house was almost palpable.
- She listened to the old songs with a sense of melancholy.
Conclusion
- Sullenness describes a silent, resentful mood, often lingering and hard to dispel.
- Moroseness can be used when referring to a generally gloomy temperament without active resentment.
- Glumness fits better for temporary sadness without the bitterness of sullenness.
- Sulking is best for childish or short-term silent resentment.
- Dourness should be used when describing a stern, unapproachable demeanor.
- Moodiness applies to unpredictable emotional shifts rather than steady brooding.
- Resentment is the underlying feeling, while sullenness is how it’s displayed.
- Brooding is more about deep, often dark contemplation rather than outward mood.
- Surliness is openly hostile, unlike the quieter sullenness.
- Melancholy is a deeper, more sorrowful sadness without the silent anger of sullenness.