The word "sulked" is spelled with a /k/ sound at the end rather than a /d/ sound despite the word ending in "-ed". This is because the last sound in "sulk" is a voiceless consonant /k/, and when adding the suffix "-ed" the final consonant is pronounced as it would in its original form. This is a common rule in English pronunciation: when the last sound in the base word is voiceless, the "-ed" suffix is pronounced as /t/ or /k/ depending on the sound.
Sulked, a verb in the past tense form of the word "sulk," refers to an individual displaying a state of irritation, dissatisfaction, or resentment arising from sulking or brooding over a perceived or actual offense, disappointment, or dissatisfaction. When one sulked, they typically withdraw themselves from social interactions, often adopting a gloomy or moody disposition.
To sulk means to exhibit a silent, often prolonged, and exaggerated or self-indulgent display of displeasure, dissatisfaction, or sullenness, usually due to an unfulfilled desire, loss, or perceived mistreatment. This behavior is often characterized by a refusal to communicate openly or engage with others, seeming withdrawn or avoiding conversations.
When someone sulks, they may manifest their discontentment through facial expressions conveying sadness, anger, or disappointment. They might also adopt physical postures that demonstrate withdrawal, such as slumping shoulders, crossed arms, or avoiding eye contact. Sulking individuals may intentionally isolate themselves or minimize their involvement in activities or conversations, seeking to draw attention to their perceived mistreatment or unmet expectations.
Sulking is often utilized as a strategy employed by people of all ages to express their negative emotions indirectly, attempting to manipulate the behavior or feelings of others. It frequently serves as a way to attract sympathy or gain leverage in resolving disputes or disagreements, although it can also be a genuine reflection of internalized distress.
Overall, sulked describes the past action of engaging in sulking, a behavior characterized by a passive-aggressive approach to expressing dissatisfaction, often leading to social disengagement and a somber demeanor.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sulked" is derived from the Middle English term "sulken", which dates back to around the 14th century. It ultimately originated from the Old English word "sūlcan" or "sōlcan", meaning "to become silent or morose". The origin of the English word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*sulkōną", which carries a similar meaning of "to grow quiet" or "to be sulky".