sullen

Meanings

• adjective

  Showing or feeling persistent unpleasantness and unwillingness to communicate or engage.

  - "His sullen demeanor made it difficult for his colleagues to work with him."
  - "She gave a sullen response when asked about her feelings."

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Pronunciation

1. /ˈsʌlən/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1785289"

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Antonyms

cheerful , content , lighthearted , pleased

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Synonyms

morose , sulky

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with sullen
dullen , fullen , shellen

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Variants

List of all variants of sullen that leads to same result
sullen , sullener , sullenest , sullenly , sullenness , sullennesses

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Old English 'sulen' meaning 'blue, sad, melancholic'. The modern English meaning evolved from the old English usage.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'sullen' has been used in literature since the 1500s.

2. In Old English, 'sulen' meant 'blue' or 'sad', reflecting the connection between sadness and the color blue in English culture.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. melancholy: A state of sadness or gloominess, often with no apparent cause. The 'sullen' can be seen as a manifestation of melancholy.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. Economy got you down? Provocateur Ehrenreich … says: Don't try cheering yourself up.  … Her sharp, funny critique finds that sunny types don't necessarily live longer or better than grumps. Besides, can you really get rid of all negativity in your life? "It is not so easy," she notes, "to abandon the whiny toddler or the "sullen" teenager."

   - Richard Eisenberg,{it}People{/it},26 Oct. 2009

2. The skies grew "sullen" and the air chillier, but it wasn't until the third day that the snow came.

   - Bill Bryson,{it}A Walk In The Woods{/it},1999

3. Despite angry alumni calls and "sullen" students protests—including the cancellation of all fraternity parties at the school's annual Winter Carnival—the faculty unanimously voted in favor of the college's goal to make fraternities and sororities substantially coed, along with developing new social alternatives for its 4,300 undergraduates.

   - Anita Hamilton,{it}Time{/it},1 Mar. 1999

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, the 'sullen' character is often portrayed as brooding, uncommunicative, and difficult. This can create tension and conflict in the story. In music, the term 'sullen' has been used to describe a slow, melancholic tempo or mood.

How to Memorize "sullen"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a person with a scowl on their face, refusing to speak or engage with others.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'sullen' with the feeling of being unwilling to communicate or engage with others.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Remember that 'Sullen' starts with the letter 'S', which can help you remember the meaning of the word.

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