Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sullen, moody, resentful disposition: "sulkiness" refers to a state or quality of being sulky, characterized by silent resentment, ill humor, or a withdrawn, brooding attitude.
   • A feeling of sulky resentment: It can denote the specific emotion or feeling of being silently resentful and uncooperative.
   • A mood or display of sullen aloofness or withdrawal: It describes the behavioral manifestation of this state, such as being silent, aloof, and withdrawn due to resentment or bad temper.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • His constant sulkiness made it difficult to have a productive conversation. (His persistently resentful and withdrawn mood created a communication barrier.)
  • After losing the game, she retreated into a state of sulkiness. (Following the loss, she withdrew into a silent, resentful mood.)
  • The child's sulkiness was a clear sign of his disappointment. (The child's sullen, uncommunicative behavior was an obvious indicator of his disappointment.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be in a state of sulkiness": to be actively exhibiting a sulky mood.
  • She spent the afternoon in a state of sulkiness after the argument.
• "To display sulkiness": to show one's sullen and resentful attitude through behavior.
  • Instead of discussing the problem, he chose to display sulkiness.

Variants and Related Words

• Sulky (adj): Having or showing a tendency to be sullenly silent, resentful, or moody.
  • He gave a sulky reply.
• Sulk (v/n): To be silent, morose, and bad-tempered out of annoyance or disappointment (verb); a period of sulking (noun).
  • He went to sulk in his room. (verb)
  • She is in a sulk. (noun)
• Sullen (adj): Bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy.
  • A sullen expression.

Synonyms

• Moroseness: A sullen and gloomy disposition.
• Sourness: Peevishness or resentment in attitude.
• Grumpiness: The state of being bad-tempered and irritable.
• Broodiness: A state of deep, often sullen, thoughtfulness.

Related Phrases

• To be in a sulk: To be engaged in a period of silent, resentful behavior.
  • He's been in a sulk all day because he wasn't invited.
• To sulk about something: To be silently resentful regarding a specific issue.
  • She tends to sulk about minor criticisms.

Noun

1. a sullen moody resentful disposition
2. a feeling of sulky resentment
3. a mood or display of sullen aloofness or withdrawal
   • stayed home in a sulk