SULLEN Synonyms: 173 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sullen' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sullen are crabbed , gloomy , glum , morose , saturnine , sulky , and surly . While all these words mean "showing a forbidding or disagreeable mood," sullen implies a silent ill humor and a refusal to be sociable. // remained sullen amid the festivities

Q: In what contexts can 'crabbed' take the place of 'sullen'?

While the synonyms crabbed and sullen are close in meaning, crabbed applies to a forbidding morose harshness of manner. // the school's notoriously crabbed headmaster

Q: When would 'gloomy' be a good substitute for 'sullen'?

Although the words gloomy and sullen have much in common, gloomy implies a depression in mood making for seeming sullenness or glumness. // a gloomy mood ushered in by bad news

Q: When could 'glum' be used to replace 'sullen'?

In some situations, the words glum and sullen are roughly equivalent. However, glum suggests a silent dispiritedness. // a glum candidate left to ponder a stunning defeat

Q: How do 'morose' and 'glum' relate to one another, in the sense of 'sullen'?

Morose adds to glum an element of bitterness or misanthropy. // morose job seekers who are inured to rejection

Q: When might 'saturnine' be a better fit than 'sullen'?

The meanings of saturnine and sullen largely overlap; however, saturnine describes a heavy forbidding aspect or suggests a bitter disposition. // a saturnine cynic always finding fault

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sulky' instead of 'sullen'?

The synonyms sulky and sullen are sometimes interchangeable, but sulky suggests childish resentment expressed in peevish sullenness. // grew sulky after every spat

Q: When can 'surly' be used instead of 'sullen'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sullen , surly implies gruffness and sullenness of speech or manner. // a typical surly teenager

sullen

adjective

ˈsə-lən

Definition of sullen next

as in somber

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer sullen skies that matched our mood on the day of the funeral

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pouting

given to or displaying a resentful silence and often irritability sullen and bored at his in-laws' house, he couldn't wait for the holidays to end

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sullen different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sullen are crabbed, gloomy, glum, morose, saturnine, sulky, and surly. While all these words mean "showing a forbidding or disagreeable mood," sullen implies a silent ill humor and a refusal to be sociable.

remained sullen amid the festivities

In what contexts can crabbed take the place of sullen?

While the synonyms crabbed and sullen are close in meaning, crabbed applies to a forbidding morose harshness of manner.

the school's notoriously crabbed headmaster

When would gloomy be a good substitute for sullen?

Although the words gloomy and sullen have much in common, gloomy implies a depression in mood making for seeming sullenness or glumness.

a gloomy mood ushered in by bad news

When could glum be used to replace sullen?

In some situations, the words glum and sullen are roughly equivalent. However, glum suggests a silent dispiritedness.

a glum candidate left to ponder a stunning defeat

How do morose and glum relate to one another, in the sense of sullen?

Morose adds to glum an element of bitterness or misanthropy.

morose job seekers who are inured to rejection

When might saturnine be a better fit than sullen?

The meanings of saturnine and sullen largely overlap; however, saturnine describes a heavy forbidding aspect or suggests a bitter disposition.

a saturnine cynic always finding fault

When is it sensible to use sulky instead of sullen?

The synonyms sulky and sullen are sometimes interchangeable, but sulky suggests childish resentment expressed in peevish sullenness.

grew sulky after every spat

When can surly be used instead of sullen?

While in some cases nearly identical to sullen, surly implies gruffness and sullenness of speech or manner.

a typical surly teenager

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of sullen But the boy had become impatient and sullen, his hands shoved in the pockets of his jacket. —

Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026 Although Robbins could be talkative and engaging particularly when discussing his hometown Houston sports teams, there were also periods of sullen silence and self-medication. —

Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026 Teenagers do not, as a rule, have to go through a sullen phase. —

R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026 Belif Aqua Bomb Cooling Eye Gel The Belif Aqua Bomb Cooling Eye Gel is a lightweight, multi-benefit formula that treats puffy, dull, or otherwise sullen-looking skin beneath the eyes. —

Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sullen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sullen

Adjective

The Atlanta Braves are back home Tuesday night for their game against the Chicago Cubs, but there will be a somber energy as fans fill seats in Truist Park.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Despite the somber mood, some trustees were not convinced that their fate was sealed.

— Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026

Definition of somber

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“Sullen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sullen. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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