sullen

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "sullen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who is gloomy, sulky, or showing a brooding ill humor. Example: "After hearing the disappointing news, she sat in a sullen silence, refusing to engage with anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.36pm BST14:36 Preamble Good morning from Hyde Park, where sullen skies, September temperatures and horrendous delays on the Piccadilly Line haven't deterred thousands of people showing up to – hopefully – watch history in the making.

The Guardian - Sport

Just inside, children labour hard to prepare storm ditches for the coming rains, digging out the stinking mud, watched by a sullen adult and a young girl with no expression on her face beyond that shaped by her skinny cheekbones.

The Guardian

That sullen teenager behind the bar, a drink-sticky carpet, crowds of catatonic tourists.

The Guardian - Travel

It's not hard to see why both struck a chord: a tepid global economy, high unemployment, stagnant living standards and trickle up to those at the top have created an environment of sullen unease.

The Guardian - Business

He has the soul of an artist but generally the tongue of a sullen and abrasive schoolboy.

The Guardian - Film

My interpretation is that the champion is indeed sullen and disgruntled.

The Guardian - Sport

The man is Brown himself, known in his youth as handsome, but here modelling the kind of sullen impotence you might see on a clever young man who has come down in the world.

The Guardian - Arts

The buoyancy of the early 1970s had disappeared to make for what Murray once described as "sullen acquiescence".

The Guardian

In his sullen, can-do combat readiness, he is heir to a tradition of regal militarism stretching back millennia.

The Guardian

In seat after seat Lib Dems are now watching the anti-Tory tactical vote fragment, migrating to Labour, to the Greens or into sullen non-voting.To date, fewer Lib Dem seats have been won by borrowing the votes of centrist Conservatives.

The Economist

No one wanted to deal with a sullen China, bent on finding scapegoats for its defeat.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sullen" to describe a person's mood or demeanor when they are quietly resentful and unwilling to be cooperative or cheerful. Ensure the context reflects this specific shade of unhappiness.

Common error

Avoid using "sullen" to describe simple sadness or disappointment. It implies a deeper, often resentful, ill humor that goes beyond mere unhappiness. "Sad", "disappointed", or even "melancholy" might be more accurate for milder feelings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sullen" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of brooding ill temper, gloom, or resentful silence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately depicts a specific type of negative emotion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sullen" functions primarily as an adjective, used to describe a state of brooding unhappiness or resentful silence. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent use, especially in news and media contexts. While synonyms like "morose" or "glum" exist, "sullen" carries a specific connotation of quiet resentment. Remember to use "sullen" when describing a quiet ill temper and not just general sadness. Therefore, based on Ludwig AI analysis, "sullen" provides a nuanced way to express a particular kind of negative emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sulky

Indicates a petulant and resentful unhappiness, often temporary, a nuance present in "sullen".

morose

Implies a more deeply ingrained and persistent gloom than "sullen".

gloomy

Focuses on a pervasive darkness of mood or atmosphere, shifting the emphasis from personal disposition found in "sullen".

glum

Suggests a quiet, almost passive sadness, differing from the potentially active resentment of "sullen".

grumpy

Implies a peevish and surly mood, often temporary and less intense than "sullen".

dour

Emphasizes severity and sternness in addition to unhappiness, unlike the plain unhappiness of "sullen".

resentful

Highlights the feeling of indignation and bitterness, which may be implied but not always present in "sullen".

irritable

Focuses more on a tendency to be easily annoyed, a different aspect of negative emotion than the brooding nature of "sullen".

bad-tempered

Suggests a general disposition towards anger and irritation, which is broader than the specific gloom of "sullen".

pouting

Conveys a specific expression of displeasure through facial expression, a behavior associated but not synonymous with "sullen".

FAQs

How can I use "sullen" in a sentence?

You can use "sullen" to describe someone's mood or appearance, for example, "He gave a "sullen" look" or "She was in a "sullen" mood after the argument".

What's the difference between "sullen" and "sad"?

"Sullen" implies a resentful unhappiness and unwillingness to be cheerful, while "sad" simply means feeling sorrowful or unhappy. "Sullen" carries a connotation of brooding and ill temper that "sad" lacks.

What are some synonyms for "sullen"?

Some synonyms for "sullen" include "morose", "glum", "sulky", and "dour". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sullen" a formal or informal word?

"Sullen" is a neutral word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone and style of your writing than on the setting.