petulant

adjective

ˈpe-chə-lənt How to pronounce petulant (audio)
Definition of petulantnext
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of petulant Lou Reed modeled the sort of petulant sing-talking that characterizes her verses. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 But while Argentina was being petty and petulant, Spain was practically perfect in every way. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 Tom Holland comes across as a vulnerable princeling without being petulant or drippy. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 Not to mention battling nerds, LARPers, and a particularly petulant McPoyle clan at the Renaissance Faire or sportswashing their way back into the good graces of their community by sponsoring a Little League team. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for petulant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulant
  1. irritable
  2. fiery
Adjective
  • Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of irritable
Adjective
  • Hundreds of people in Toledo, Ohio, remain evacuated from their homes as officials work to resolve a fiery chemical leak that began Tuesday.
    — Lana Zak, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Here was the humble trade unionist, born into extreme poverty, standing up as a fiery-eyed tribune of the workers.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of fiery

Browse Nearby Words

petulance
petulant
pewter
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Cite this Entry

“Petulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulant. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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