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
The New Daughter has an interesting, sullen mood and looks fantastic, but that just further accentuates how out of place Costner seems.
—
Will Leitch, Vulture, 1 July 2024
One of the migrants looks at the camera with sullen eyes and a rugged beard.
—Kunal Sehgal, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024
In that, Democrats mindful of their own fortunes are suddenly less sullen about the slog toward November’s Election Day.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 19 July 2024
Through this ceremony of affirmation, a divided party sought to turn the page and reassert control over a sullen society.
—Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2019
See All Example Sentences for sullen
Will Leitch, Vulture, 1 July 2024
One of the migrants looks at the camera with sullen eyes and a rugged beard.
—Kunal Sehgal, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024
In that, Democrats mindful of their own fortunes are suddenly less sullen about the slog toward November’s Election Day.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 19 July 2024
Through this ceremony of affirmation, a divided party sought to turn the page and reassert control over a sullen society.
—Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2019
See All Example Sentences for sullen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sullen
Adjective
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Field’s somber, clear-eyed Sonya has ardent desires but few illusions.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2025
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At a somber bill-signing less than a month after the mass shooting at the school, Scott was joined by parents of the Parkland victims and area legislators in his office in the state Capitol in Tallahassee.—
Steve Bousquet,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Outside of the December slide, this is as bleak as it’s looked for the Rangers this season.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
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Voters were also asked to give one word to describe the Democratic Party, and the responses were bleak.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Strong winds also may have North Texans feeling more irritable, which scientists blame on there being too many positive ions in the air.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2025
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Signs of overextension burnout include feeling emotionally drained, becoming irritable and struggling to focus—all of which can affect both your work and personal life.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Retirement has been described by many who struggle as being incredibly lonely.—
Lorraine Wiseman,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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Four months ago, the lonely widower met Anna Valenza.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Playing Dawn Summers, Trachtenberg joined the show in 2000, as Buffy's younger sister, who was at times bratty, sulky, and a bit of a klutz — but nonetheless offered a new and exciting sibling dynamic for the show to explore.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
26 Feb. 2025
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Horse race At the harness racing week on the Freehold Raceway in New Jersey: a reverse race with the sulky fixed in front of the horse - 1930.—
Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Mindfulness mediates the association between chronotype and depressive symptoms in young adults.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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There are four basic types of the disorder, which are characterized by periods of elation and hyper-activity known as manic episodes, which are then followed by depressive stages where the patient experiences feelings of sadness and depression.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Sum of a Career in Spaceflight Schirra had announced his plans to retire from NASA before the Apollo 7 flight, and a successful (if surly) mission, topped off with an Emmy Award and a Deep Draft Command certificate, wasn’t a bad way to wrap up a nine-year career at the agency.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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The Pacific Northwest, which has played host to a series of surly atmospheric rivers and a bomb cyclone in recent days, should finally quiet down, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys told USA TODAY on Sunday as that national weather picture for the holiday grew sharper.—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
24 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The couple even hires a nanny to care for the doll but shortly after her arrival, strange occurrences begin leading them down a dark path.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
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Same goes for Lady Gaga and her fire-red McQueen gown, which hit all the right notes of dark romance.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sullen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sullen. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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