sullenness

IPA/ˈsʌlənnəs/
IPA/ˈsʌlənnəs/

sullenness — noun

1. a way of behaving that shows you are angry or upset, by staying silent and not w

1.名詞C2
釋義

a way of behaving that shows you are angry or upset, by staying silent and not wanting to talk or be friendly toward others.

例句

Lukas stared at the wall with sullenness, refusing to answer his mother's questions.

sullenness + present participle clause showing refusal

Nora's sullenness during the long car ride made everyone in the family uncomfortable.

possessive + sullenness + during + time period

同義詞
  • sulkiness

    more childish or petty; a person who is sulky often wants others to notice their displeasure

  • moroseness

    a darker, gloomier mood; less about open anger and more about withdrawn unhappiness

  • glumness

    sadder and less defiant than sullenness; suggests disappointment rather than resentment

  • petulance

    more irritable and childishly impatient; often involves complaining or whining, not just silent anger

反義詞
  • cheerfulness

    a happy, positive disposition — the opposite of sullenness in both mood and behaviour

  • friendliness

    warm, open behaviour toward others — sullenness is defined by its deliberate unfriendliness

文法句型

possessive + sullenness

sullenness + of + someone

a look / state / mood of sullenness

用法筆記

Unlike silence, which can be neutral or thoughtful, sullenness always carries a sense of anger or resentment. The person is not just quiet — they are deliberately showing their displeasure through quietness or a cold expression.

常見錯誤

❌He sat in sullenness because he was thinking quietly about the book.
✅He sat in silence because he was thinking quietly about the book.
💡sullenness always involves anger or bad mood, not quiet thought.
❌The teacher's sullenness was calming during the test.
✅The teacher's silence was calming during the test.
💡sullenness has a negative, unfriendly tone; use silence for a neutral or peaceful lack of sound.