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Sullen vs Frown - What's the difference?

sullen | frown |

As nouns the difference between sullen and frown

is that sullen is (obsolete) one who is solitary, or lives alone; a hermit while frown is a facial expression in which the eyebrows are brought together, and the forehead is wrinkled, usually indicating displeasure, sadness or worry, or less often confusion or concentration.

As an adjective sullen

is having a brooding ill temper; sulky.

As a verb frown is

to have a on one's face.

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

    frown

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A facial expression in which the eyebrows are brought together, and the forehead is wrinkled, usually indicating displeasure, sadness or worry, or less often confusion or concentration.

    • Derived terms

    * permafrown

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To have a on one's face.
  • To manifest displeasure or disapprobation; to look with disfavour or threateningly.
    • Noisy gossip in the library is frowned upon.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The sky doth frown and lower upon our army.
  • To repress or repel by expressing displeasure or disapproval; to rebuke with a look.
    • Frown the impudent fellow into silence.

    Derived terms

    * frown at * frown on * frown upon