rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysulkSilent resentment
verb / noun

sulk

SULK/sʌlk/

A resentful or gloomy mood shown by staying silent and withdrawn.

The losing player sulks with folded arms, silently turning away from the board game.

After losing a simple board game, a player silently turns away with folded arms while a friend waits calmly, no numbers or letters on board.
Etymology
sulkEnglishsilently resentful, sullen

Sulk was formed backward from sulky, turning a description of someone silently resentful and aloof into a verb for that behavior. The adjective’s deeper origin is uncertain.

In context

Arkham666446:39
was stolen away and abandoned on Gaya before his purpose could be explained to him. But he like Vivi has a lot of friends who aren't going to let him sulk about it
The PS1 Final Fantasy trilogy Retrospective: why we still love them.

More examples

  • She sits in a sulk, refusing to answer anyone.
  • I sulked all evening after they rejected my suggestion.
  • Instead of sulking, tell me what upset you.

Forms

sulk · sulks · sulked · sulking

sulky adjective — Showing resentment through silence and withdrawal.

Similar words

pout
Often emphasizes a displeased facial expression rather than silent withdrawal.
mope
Emphasizes listless sadness rather than resentment at being wronged.