SULKINESS Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

sulkiness

noun

Definition of sulkiness

as in pouts

a state of resentful silence or irritability turned into a very pleasant adult when she finally outgrew her adolescent sulkiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sulkiness

Noun

So how, exactly, did these polka-dot pouts make their way onto the mood board?

— Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 25 June 2026
Soto’s Marie pouts and squeals with abandon.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

Definition of pouts

Noun

This could, in turn, trigger feelings of restlessness and irritability, not to mention the lack of clarity brought on by the moon transiting this Water sign.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
Capsaicin, the natural chemical compound in chili peppers, can cause severe irritability in a feline's gastrointestinal system.

— Pat Mueller, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of irritability

Noun

His performance lives in his eyes, which manage to convey a sincere naïveté and a sullenness all at once.

— Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
As Mozart, Sam Clemmett is wonderful, carefully navigating the silliness and sullenness of a character who’s been drawn as part boy, part man.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026

Definition of sullenness

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

sulkily

sulkiness

sulking

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sulkiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sulkiness. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sulkiness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

torpor

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes