sullen look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sullen look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a facial expression that conveys sadness, gloominess, or displeasure. Example: "After hearing the disappointing news, she wore a sullen look that made it clear how she felt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Her eyebrows were constantly knitted, and her eyes had a distracted and sullen look.

The New Yorker

He realized what his fate would be and he just walked off with a sullen look".

The New Yorker

This bid for black kinship among whites brings a sullen look to the woman's face.

The New Yorker

Les Carpenter writes on Yahoo.com that he is trying on a new, and unimpressive, sullen look for the start of camp.

The New York Times - Sports

Every morning and every evening in this city with the sweet-sounding name, thousands of poor people take a long, sullen look at how the other half lives.

The New York Times

Balotelli has scored eight times in his last 11 Premier League games, often with a sullen look on his face, which he apparently thinks makes him the king of cool.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Overnight rain meant a start delayed by half an hour (there was a further stoppage because of lightning and rain after half an hour of play) and when the covers were removed, it showed a sullen looking strip, damp-looking rather than green.

The Guardian - Sport

Outside, there were sullen looks on the faces of the young children sitting on nearby stoops.

The New York Times

The populace, however, went about openly with sullen looks, spoke its mind as much as it pleased, and was getting ready to do anything it could.

University of Chicago

Gazing into the sullen-look of humanoid faces graced with a slight reprieve from airy floral arrangements encasing a bomb, one can begin to comprehend this universal feeling: one we all wish we can undo, but have to endure and make the most of.

Vice

Draper has a talent for making a certain flavor of sullen arrogance look swank — or maybe his demeanor hints that happiness itself is overrated, when compared with the allure of brooding over never quite getting what you want.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sullen look" to precisely depict a facial expression reflecting unhappiness, bitterness, or suppressed anger. It is particularly effective when describing someone who is withdrawn or uncommunicative due to negative emotions.

Common error

While "sullen look" is effective, avoid using it repeatedly within a short span, as it can make your writing monotonous. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "gloomy expression" or "morose appearance" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sullen look" primarily functions as a descriptive element, modifying a noun (often "face" or "eyes") to convey a specific emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively paints a picture of someone displaying unhappiness or resentment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sullen look" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a facial expression indicative of unhappiness, resentment, or suppressed anger. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is often used in News & Media, Formal & Business and Wiki. When using the phrase, remember to be precise in conveying the specific negative emotion and avoid overuse for stylistic reasons. By employing best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use "sullen look" to create vivid and emotionally resonant descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gloomy expression

Emphasizes the overall facial expression rather than just the look in the eyes.

morose appearance

Focuses on the general outward presentation of someone who is gloomy or ill-tempered.

sour face

Highlights the unpleasantness of the facial expression.

resentful gaze

Specifies that the look is full of resentment.

sulky demeanor

Shifts the focus from a specific look to the overall attitude or behavior.

unhappy countenance

A more formal way of describing a face that shows sadness.

disgruntled expression

Highlights dissatisfaction and annoyance in the expression.

downcast eyes

Focuses specifically on the eyes indicating sadness or shame.

glum visage

A more literary and less common way of saying unhappy face.

petulant air

Implies a display of childish annoyance or bad temper.

FAQs

How can I describe a "sullen look" in more detail?

You can elaborate by adding details about the eyes (e.g., "downcast", "glaring"), the mouth (e.g., "tight-lipped", "frowning"), or the overall facial tension to provide a richer description of the "sullen look".

What emotions typically cause someone to have a "sullen look"?

A "sullen look" often indicates emotions like disappointment, resentment, suppressed anger, or general unhappiness. The specific context usually clarifies the underlying feeling.

What are some situations where describing someone with a "sullen look" would be appropriate?

Describing someone with a "sullen look" is appropriate in situations where they are experiencing setbacks, facing criticism, or dealing with unwanted circumstances. It helps convey their negative emotional state to the reader.

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

While both indicate unhappiness, a "sullen look" suggests repressed anger or resentment, while a "sad look" primarily conveys sorrow or grief without necessarily implying anger. The "sullen look" suggests a more internalised, potentially brewing negative emotion.