sullenly
gb/sˈʌlənli/ us/sˈʌlənli/
C1
English
~ 9900
duzzogva, morcosan, komoran
C1
1
Usage pattern:
to [verb] sullenly
When I asked what was wrong, he just shrugged sullenly and turned away.
Amikor megkérdeztem, mi a baj, csak duzzogva megvonta a vállát, és elfordult.
She answered sullenly, making it clear she did not want to continue the conversation.
Duzzogva válaszolt, egyértelművé téve, hogy nem akarja folytatni a beszélgetést.
The teenager sat sullenly at the table, pushing his food around without speaking.
He stared sullenly out of the window, refusing to join in the jokes.
Maria nodded sullenly, still angry about the decision but too tired to argue.
Learner examples
The boy looked down and walked away sullenly.
A fiú lesütötte a szemét, és duzzogva elsétált.
She closed the door sullenly and did not say goodbye.
Duzzogva becsukta az ajtót, és nem köszönt el.
He replied sullenly when his mother asked about his day.
The child sat sullenly in the corner after the fight.
Tom listened sullenly and did not say a word.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "sullenly" with "suddenly" because they sound similar. "Sullenly" is about mood (silent anger or gloom), while "suddenly" is about time (something happens quickly and without warning). Another mistake is using it like an adjective (e.g., *he was sullenly*) instead of the adjective "sullen" (correct: *he was sullen*; or *he spoke sullenly*).
Meaning
in a gloomy, resentful way
Collocations
answer sullenly
|reply sullenly
|sit sullenly
|stare sullenly
|nod sullenly
|look sullenly
Synonyms
sulkily (Emphasizes childish or pouty anger a bit more than "sullenly.")
|
moodily (Broader and less strong; can mean simply in a bad mood, not always resentful.)
|
glumly (Focuses more on sadness and low spirits, less on anger or resentment.)
Antonyms
cheerfully (Shows open happiness and good mood instead of silent anger or gloom.)
|
brightly (Suggests an open, lively tone or expression instead of a dark, closed-off one.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a quiet way that shows you are angry, hurt, or in a bad mood and do not want to talk.
In a way that shows silent anger, resentment, or bad mood, often through looks or very few words.
C1
LITERARY
2
komoran
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] moves/looks sullenly
Gray clouds hung sullenly over the harbor all afternoon.
Szürke felhők lógtak komoran a kikötő fölött egész délután.
The river moved sullenly between its high banks, thick and brown after the storm.
A folyó komoran hömpölygött a magas partok között, sűrűn és barnán a vihar után.
A single bulb burned sullenly in the hallway, casting long, tired shadows.
Smoke rose sullenly from the chimneys, mixing with the low winter sky.
The sun glowed sullenly behind the haze, giving no real warmth.
Learner examples
Dark clouds sat sullenly over the town.
Sötét felhők ültek komoran a város fölött.
The river flowed sullenly under the old bridge.
A folyó komoran folyt a régi híd alatt.
A small light shone sullenly in the empty room.
Smoke moved sullenly into the gray sky.
The evening sky burned sullenly with a red light.
Meaning
in a dark, dull way
Collocations
clouds hang sullenly
|sky glows sullenly
|river moves sullenly
|lights burn sullenly
Synonyms
dully (Focuses more on lack of brightness or interest, less on emotional weight.)
|
gloomily (Very close in meaning, but slightly more common and less stylistically literary.)
Antonyms
brightly (Suggests light, color, or energy instead of dark, heavy dullness.)
|
radiantly (Emphasizes shining, strong light, the opposite of a heavy or sullen quality.)
Themes
nature
|description
|literature
|weather
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a heavy, dark, and unhappy way, used to talk about places, weather, or things, not people’s behavior.
In a way that is dark, heavy, and joyless in appearance or atmosphere, often used for weather, light, or movement.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sullenly
IPA
GB/sˈʌlənli/
US/sˈʌlənli/
Syllables & stress
sul - lenly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sul)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sullenly
- Plural: sullenlies
Word family
Forms
sullenlies
noun
Core family
sullen
adjective
Related words
sullenness
noun
sulk
verb
sulky
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.