sullen
Gloomily refusing speech
Sullen describes a mood of resentful, silent bad temper.
A sullen person withdraws into brooding displeasure rather than expressing anger openly: He gave a sullen shrug and said nothing.
The word suggests hostility held inward—someone who won't engage but makes their unhappiness known.
Weather or skies can be sullen when dark and threatening.
Sullenly ill-humored
- glumQuietly dejected
- dourSternly gloomy
- gloomyDark and dispiriting
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
despondent · dejected · downcast · crestfallen · woebegone · dispirited · somber · dismal
Prone to sullenness
- sulkyMoody and silently resentful
- petulantChildishly bad-tempered
- grumpyIrritable in temperament
- poutySullen in expression
churlish · surly · peevish · cantankerous · querulous · fretful · snappish · disgruntled
Unjustly harsh or stifling
somber · brooding · threatening · ominous · lowering · gray · dark · cheerless
Unwilling to share thoughts
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
- silentProducing no sound
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- tight-lippedUnwilling to divulge
unresponsive · reserved · aloof · distant · detached · cold · unapproachable · unfriendly
Feeling lingering ill will
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- aggrievedFeeling unjustly wronged
- discontentedUnhappy with circumstances
- embitteredMade resentful by hardship
simmering · smoldering · nursing · grudging · unforgiving · hostile · spiteful · rancorous
morose
Sullenly ill-humored
melancholy · despondent · dejected · downcast · crestfallen · woebegone · dispirited · somber · dismal · forlorn
moody
Prone to sullenness
pouty · churlish · surly · peevish · cantankerous · querulous · fretful · snappish · disgruntled · ill-tempered
oppressive
Unjustly harsh or stifling
dreary · somber · brooding · threatening · ominous · lowering · gray · dark · cheerless · dismal
uncommunicative
Unwilling to share thoughts
tight-lipped · unresponsive · reserved · aloof · distant · detached · cold · unapproachable · unfriendly · standoffish
resentful
Feeling lingering ill will
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- aggrievedFeeling unjustly wronged
- discontentedUnhappy with circumstances
embittered · simmering · smoldering · nursing · grudging · unforgiving · hostile · spiteful · rancorous · malcontent
glowering
Staring with displeasure
- scowlingFrowning with disapproval
- frowningFacial expression of displeasure
- glaringHarshly conspicuous or bright
pouting · stony-faced · dark · lowering · thunderous · black · stormy · menacing · baleful · forbidding
- negative tonesangry, bitter, cynical, hostile, resentful
- traitshonesty, ambitious, brave, calm, kindness
- temperamentscholeric, phlegmatic, melancholic, sanguine, introvert
- moodshappy, sad, angry, anxious, excited
- expressionsexpression, I love you, phrase, idioms, thank you
- irritabilitycranky, grouchy, grumpy, irritated, annoyed
sullenfriendly
Showing kindness, warmth
sociable · cordial · warm · affable · gregarious
sullengood-natured
Having a friendly temperament
good-humored · good-tempered · easygoing · pleasant · agreeable