WordGarden.iosulkily
C2Pronunciation
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Meanings
Adverb
in a sulky, resentful, or bad-tempered way
Beyond the definition
Imagine a child who doesn't get the toy they want. They don't yell or throw a tantrum; instead, they turn away, refusing to speak and radiating unhappiness. That's acting sulkily. It describes doing something—usually remaining silent or withdrawn—in a resentful, bad-tempered way.
It isn't just about being quiet; it also shows hurt feelings or annoyance. A cat might stalk off sulkily after being denied a treat, and a teenager might slam their door and retreat to their room sulkily after being grounded. Think of it as showing your unhappiness without saying much at all.
To act sulkily is to behave in a resentful, sullen, or bad-tempered manner—often characterized by silence and withdrawal. It's more than just being quiet; it's about intentionally withholding affection or communication because you feel wronged or disappointed.
The word evokes a sense of childish petulance, but adults can certainly behave sulkily too! Perhaps a colleague responds sulkily to constructive criticism, or a friend ignores your texts sulkily after a disagreement. The key is that the silence isn't neutral; it's loaded with unspoken resentment.
You'll often see sulkily used to describe actions like turning away, refusing to answer questions, or simply radiating unhappiness without expressing it directly. It's a subtle but powerful way of communicating displeasure, hinting at hurt feelings and unmet expectations. So next time you notice someone quietly brooding with a distinct air of resentment, chances are they're behaving sulkily.
Examples
- 1
Sibling jealousy
When his sister got the bigger slice of cake, Ben folded his arms and stared out the window sulkily.
- 2
Hurt refusal
"Fine, do it without me," she said sulkily before leaving the room.
- 3
Childhood disappointment
The boy trailed behind the group sulkily after being told he couldn't bring his phone.
- 4
Family rules
He handed back the keys sulkily, still annoyed that his parents had said no.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- cheerfully
- good-naturedly
Used with (collocations)
- said sulkily
- looked sulkily
- sat sulkily
Word family
Explore
- pouting
- silent resentment
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- sulkilyadverb