He turned to his orange juice sullenly, sneering that every little additive would sign him up for experiments he wanted no part in.
Source: tatoeba (754821)
Sullenly
/ˈsʌlənli/
Synonyms for "sullenly" (11 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (3)
Adverb(2 words)
Verb(1 words)
Strong matches (3)
Related words (5)
Adverb(3 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: glumly, discontentedly, disgruntles, dourly, grimly.
- Sentence evidence is available for sullenly, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "sullenly".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "sullenly"
Keep "sullenly" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "sullenly" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "sullenly", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "sullenly" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
2 entriesadverbmanner adverb
Collocations
5 entriesglum tonegrim silencemorose expressionsomber demeanorsullen mood
Inflections
2 entriesmore sullenlymost sullenly
Derivations
1 entriesSample sentences
6 total sentences available.
On the ledge of rock above this strange couple there stood three solemn buzzards, who, at the sight of the new comers, uttered raucous screams of disappointment and flapped sullenly away.
Source: tatoeba (6310908)
"Past me was a weak, wimpy, ineffectual little thing," Alice stated sullenly, "a total doormat, the kind of person that would let you walk all over her. She was more concerned with being a 'good girl' and getting along with everyone and not making waves than expressing her true feelings." She shook her head, then turned to stare Linda square in the eyes. "But you… you changed all that. And for the better. You got me to brush aside my totally PC façade and just express the inner me."
Source: tatoeba (13557966)
A grim meaning rose in the vacuous eye of Lovel; Isaacs caressed his diamond pin, smiling in a sickly fashion; McNamara's wandering stare fixed and grew unhumanly bright; Ufert openly dropped his hand on his gun-butt and stood sullenly defiant.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 6 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "sullenly"?
Closest matches include glumly, discontentedly, disgruntles, dourly, grimly.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "sullenly"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.