To push out your lips when annoyed or disappointed, or to show displeasure in a silent, sulky way.
Possibly from Old Norse 'púta' meaning 'to swell,' though origins are uncertain. First recorded in English in the 16th century with its current meaning.
Pouting is actually a universal expression babies use—research shows even infants pout when frustrated, suggesting it's a deeply wired emotional signal!
Pouting is stereotypically coded as feminine (childish, manipulative behavior expected from girls/women). Men's silence/refusal is labeled differently ('strong', 'principled'), reflecting gendered emotional expression norms.
Use behaviorally: 'expressed displeasure by refusing to speak' rather than 'pouted' when gendered undertones matter. The word itself is neutral but carries gendered baggage.
["expressed displeasure","sulked","refused to engage"]
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