pettier; pettiest
1
: having secondary rank or importance : minor, subordinate
2
: having little or no importance or significance
3
: marked by or reflective of narrow interests and sympathies : small-minded
Examples of petty in a Sentence
a petty argument about grammar
My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.
Recent Examples on the Web
If Allen did, FCC chair Brendan Carr would have an actual late night problem on its hands, and not just some petty personal beef with Jimmy Kimmel.
—
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
When a conversation ends without a real answer, when a situation is explained away rather than actually explained, the discomfort is not neurotic or petty.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Being petty would be understandable.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for petty
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Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
When a conversation ends without a real answer, when a situation is explained away rather than actually explained, the discomfort is not neurotic or petty.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Being petty would be understandable.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for petty
Cite this Entry
“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
petty
adjective
pet·ty
ˈpet-ē 
pettier; pettiest
1
: lesser in rank or importance : minor
a petty prince
2
: having little or no importance or meaning
petty details
3
: having or displaying a mean narrow-minded attitude : small-minded
Etymology
Middle English pety "small, minor," an altered form of petit (same meaning), from early French petit "small"
Legal Definition
Biographical Definition
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