Sullenness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sullenness

[ˈsʌlənnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

moodiness

Sullenness is the quality of being silent and morose, showing a bad-tempered and sulky attitude. It is characterized by a gloomy or dismal disposition.

Synonyms

gloominess, moodiness, moroseness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sullenness	This word is often used to describe a state of silent resentment or sluggishness. It is slightly more intense and persistent than moodiness. Her sullenness was evident when she refused to talk to anyone at the party. He sat in sullen silence, ignoring everyone's attempts to cheer him up.
moodiness	Moodiness refers to frequent changes in mood, often erratic and unpredictable. It is less intense than moroseness and sullenness. Teenagers often go through phases of moodiness. His moodiness made it difficult for her to predict how he would react.
gloominess	Gloominess can describe both a person's emotional state and the general atmosphere of a place. It implies a deep and pervasive sadness or pessimism. There was a sense of gloominess in the room after they received the bad news. His prolonged absence added to her gloominess.
moroseness	This word suggests a deep unhappiness and a tendency to be very irritable or bad-tempered. It is more intense and less changeable than moodiness. His moroseness was off-putting to new acquaintances. She couldn't shake off her moroseness despite the beautiful weather.

Examples of usage

He retreated into sullenness after the argument.
Her sullenness was evident in her lack of response.
The sullenness in his expression made it clear he was upset.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

behavior

Sullenness can also refer to a behavior marked by a refusal to communicate or cooperate, often in a stubborn or resentful manner.

Synonyms

resentfulness, stubbornness, uncooperativeness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sullenness	Typically describes someone who is quietly moody or gloomy and appears unhappy, often without obvious reason. It implies a passive, sulking behavior. She sat in sullenness after the meeting, answering questions with only nods and shakes of her head. His sullenness was apparent when he didn't join in any of the team activities.
stubbornness	Refers to a strong unwillingness to change one's mind or behavior, often implying a negative trait when someone is being unreasonable. His stubbornness prevented him from accepting any help. In her stubbornness, she refused to admit that she might be wrong.
resentfulness	Used to describe feelings of bitterness or indignation due to perceived unfair treatment. It has a somewhat negative connotation. Her resentfulness grew as she watched her colleague get promoted. There was a palpable air of resentfulness after the decision was announced.
uncooperativeness	Describes a lack of willingness to work with others or follow directions, especially in group settings or team efforts. It generally implies a negative attitude. His uncooperativeness made the project much harder than it needed to be. Despite repeated requests, her uncooperativeness remained, causing delays.

Examples of usage

Her sullenness towards her colleagues was causing tension in the workplace.
The child's sullenness was a result of feeling misunderstood.
His sullenness only served to isolate him further from his friends.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'sullenness'

The word 'sullenness' dates back to the 17th century and is derived from the Middle English word 'solein', meaning solitary, gloomy, or morose. It reflects a sense of brooding silence and ill humor. Sullenness is often associated with a lack of cheerfulness or sociability, portraying a sense of discontent or unhappiness.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,975 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
33972 euphony
33973 sturdiness
33974 cordoned
33975 sullenness
33976 ornately
33977 unsociable
33978 disavowing
...