sullenness

UK: /ˈsʌlənnɪs/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sul•len /ˈsʌlən/   adj. 

1. showing irritation or anger by a gloomy silence.
2. gloomy or dismal, as weather.

sul•len•ly, adv.: 

He looked sullenly down at his feet.

sul•len•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sul•len  (sul′ən), adj. 

1. showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence or reserve.
2. persistently and silently ill-humored;
   morose.
3. indicative of gloomy ill humor.
4. gloomy or dismal, as weather or a sound.
5. sluggish, as a stream.
6. [Obs.] malignant, as planets or influences.

• ?
• earlier solein, Middle English 1565–75

sul′len•ly, adv. 
sul′len•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See cross. 
• 1, 2. See glum. 
• 2. sulky, moody, sour, bad-tempered.
• 4. cheerless, clouded, overcast, somber, mournful, dark.
• 5. slow, stagnant.

Antonyms

• 1, 2. cheerful.