sullenly
gb/sˈʌlənli/ us/sˈʌlənli/
C1
English
~ 9900
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
in a gloomy, resentful way
In a quiet way that shows you are angry, hurt, or in a bad mood and do not want to talk.
Usage pattern:
to [verb] sullenly
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*).
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.)
Collocations
answer sullenly
|reply sullenly
|sit sullenly
|stare sullenly
|nod sullenly
|look sullenly
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- When I asked what was wrong, he just shrugged sullenly and turned away.
- She answered sullenly, making it clear she did not want to continue the conversation.
- 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.
- She closed the door sullenly and did not say goodbye.
- 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.
adverb
literary
C1
property
2
in a dark, dull way
In a heavy, dark, and unhappy way, used to talk about places, weather, or things, not people’s behavior.
Usage pattern:
[something] moves/looks 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.)
Collocations
clouds hang sullenly
|sky glows sullenly
|river moves sullenly
|lights burn sullenly
Themes
nature
|description
|literature
|weather
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Gray clouds hung sullenly over the harbor all afternoon.
- The river moved sullenly between its high banks, thick and brown after the storm.
- 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.
- The river flowed sullenly under the old bridge.
- 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.
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.