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Sullen vs Harsh - What's the difference?

sullen | harsh | Related terms |

Sullen is a related term of harsh.


As adjectives the difference between sullen and harsh

is that sullen is having a brooding ill temper; sulky while harsh is unpleasantly rough to the touch or other senses.

As a noun sullen

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

As a verb harsh is

(slang) to negatively criticize.

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

    harsh

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Unpleasantly rough to the touch or other senses.
  • Severe or cruel.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=November 5 , author=Phil Dawkes , title=QPR 2 - 3 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Great news for City, but the result was harsh on Neil Warnock's side who gave as good as they got even though the odds were stacked against them.}}

    Antonyms

    * genteel

    Verb

    (es)
  • (slang) To negatively criticize.
    • Quit harshing me already, I said that I was sorry!
  • *
  • *
  • (slang) to put a damper on (a mood).
    • Dude, you're harshing my buzz.
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *

    • Synonyms

    * rough

    Derived terms

    * harshly * harshness