Choose the correct ANTONYM for sullen from the options given below.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → genial
- Sullen means bad-tempered and silent, showing displeasure without saying why.
Example: The sullen boy refused to answer any questions. - Genial means friendly and cheerful. A genial person is pleasant and warm, the opposite of a sullen one, so genial is the antonym.
Example: Our genial host made everyone feel at home.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: morose — Incorrect. Morose means gloomy and unhappy; it is a synonym of sullen.
Example: He became morose after losing his job.
Option 2: reticent — Incorrect. Reticent means not willing to say much about one's feelings; it is close to the silent side of sullen, not its opposite.
Example: She was reticent about her plans.
Option 3: timid — Incorrect. Timid means shy and easily frightened; it is about fear, not about bad temper or cheerfulness.
Example: The timid puppy hid under the bed.
| Synonyms (Sullen) | Antonyms (Sullen) |
|---|---|
| morose | genial |
| sulky | cheerful |
| glum | friendly |
| surly | sunny |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sullen | – | 19-05 S2 | – | – | – |
| morose | – | 22-05 S2 02-06 S1 | 29-05 S1 | – | – |
| reticent | 06-06 S1 07-06 S2 | 31-05 S1 02-06 S1 | – | – | – |
| genial | – | 19-05 S1 23-05 S1 | – | 21-05 S1 07-06 S1 | 20-08 S1 |