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Sullen vs Apathetic - What's the difference?

sullen | apathetic |

As adjectives the difference between sullen and apathetic

is that sullen is having a brooding ill temper; sulky while apathetic is void of feeling; not susceptible of deep emotion; passionless; indifferent.

As a noun sullen

is one who is solitary, or lives alone; a hermit.

sullen

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Having a brooding ill temper; sulky.
  • * Prior
    • And sullen I forsook the imperfect feast.
  • Gloomy; dismal; foreboding.
  • * 1593 , , IV. v. 88:
    • Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change;
    (Milton)
  • Sluggish; slow.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • The larger stream was placid, and even sullen , in its course.
  • (obsolete) Lonely; solitary; desolate.
  • (obsolete) Mischievous; malignant; unpropitious.
  • * Dryden
    • Such sullen planets at my birth did shine.
  • (obsolete) Obstinate; intractable.
  • * Tillotson
    • Things are as sullen as we are.

    Synonyms

    * sulky, morose

    Antonyms

    * cheerful * content * lighthearted * pleased

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) One who is solitary, or lives alone; a hermit.
    • (Piers Plowman)
  • Sullen feelings or manners; sulks; moroseness.
    • to have the sullens
  • * 1593 , , II. i. 139:
    • And let them die that age and sullens have;
    English adjectives ending in -en

    apathetic

    English

    Alternative forms

    * apathetical

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Void of feeling; not susceptible of deep emotion; passionless; indifferent.
  • Of, or pertaining to apatheism.

    • Synonyms

    * indifferent. impassive

    Related terms

    * apatheism * apatheist

    References

    * English terms with alpha privatives