petty

adjective

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pet·ty | \ ˈpe-tē

pettier; pettiest

Definition of petty

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

Petty

biographical name

Pet·ty | \ ˈpe-tē

Definition of Petty (Entry 2 of 2)

Sir William 1623–1687 English political economist

Other Words from petty Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about petty

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Examples of petty in a Sentence

Adjective a petty argument about grammar My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The top three charges associated with cases that the fund posted bail on were petty theft, possession of drug paraphernalia and trespassing, according to the firm. — Monivette Cordeiro, orlandosentinel.com, "More than 300 helped by bail fund backed by Orlando’s Morgan & Morgan firm," 2 Apr. 2021 Without his accomplice, Little began getting nabbed more often for petty offenses. — Washington Post, "‘There wasn’t any cooperation’," 4 Dec. 2020 At the state level, voters restored the right to vote to parolees, and rejected a measure that would have increased penalties for petty offenses. — Los Angeles Times, "California goes big on criminal justice reform, setting a more progressive path," 5 Nov. 2020 Ensuring safe living spaces was the intention when crime-free ordinances appeared in Minnesota in the 1990s, Hauge said, often as a way for police to deal with petty offenses at apartment buildings. — Erin Adler, Star Tribune, "St. Louis Park repeals 'crime-free' piece of housing ordinance," 30 Aug. 2020 But the Russian Hill incidents do not seem like run-of-the-mill petty theft. — Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, "San Francisco may have a wine thief. And it looks like they're into fancy Italian bottles," 30 Mar. 2021 Police arrested the suspect for petty theft and then released him on his own recognizance. — Bruce Geiselman, cleveland, "Woman charged with OVI after narrowly missing utility pole: North Olmsted Police Blotter," 20 Mar. 2021 She was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of petty theft, robbery and two counts of violation of civil rights by force or threat, and appeared in court for the battery and hate crime charges on Monday. — Washington Post, "California woman charged with spitting on Asian American man in racist attack: ‘It’s very targeted vitriol.'," 9 Mar. 2021 Inman was charged with petty theft, robbery and two counts of violation of civil rights by force or threat because of two incidents alleged to have occurred Feb. 13. — NBC News, "Woman charged with 'anti-Asian hate crime' of spitting on man in California," 27 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'petty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.