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Sullen vs Touchy - What's the difference?

sullen | touchy | Related terms |

Sullen is a related term of touchy.


As adjectives the difference between sullen and touchy

is that sullen is having a brooding ill temper; sulky while touchy is (of a situation) extremely sensitive or volatile; easily disturbed to the point of becoming unstable; requiring caution or tactfulness.

As a noun sullen

is (obsolete) 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

    touchy

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • (of a situation) Extremely sensitive or volatile; easily disturbed to the point of becoming unstable; requiring caution or tactfulness.
  • It is an extremely touchy situation, with everybody's patience wearing thin.
  • (of a person) Easily offended; oversensitive; ticklish.
  • He can be very touchy when you talk about his cat, so be as tactful as possible.

    See also

    * tetchy * touch and go