sullenly

[ suhl-uhn-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that shows irritation, ill humor, or gloom; morosely:

   In the next room, an embittered, lonely man sits sullenly.

2. with a gloomy or dismal sound:

   The door thudded sullenly behind her.

   The waves roared sullenly against the base of the cliff.

Other Words From

• un·sul·len·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sullenly¹

sullen ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

And defeated Germany sullenly nursed her wounds, its people casting about for someone to blame.

From The Daily Beast

We can stand silently and sullenly beside them since, ideologically speaking, there is nowhere else to go.

From The Daily Beast

Cincinnatus will not back to his plow, or, at the best, stands sullenly between his plow-handles arguing for a higher wage.

From Project Gutenberg

"To R——," replied the man, as he turned silently and sullenly to retrace his steps.

From Project Gutenberg

So the clouded day broke sullenly, with gusts of warm rain and red gleams of a sun striving to disperse the mists.

From Project Gutenberg

The opposition, therefore, sullenly assented to what the ministry proposed.

From Project Gutenberg

The check was drawn for a hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and Crane and Keith settled back sullenly.

From Project Gutenberg