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
Synonyms
Examples of petty in a Sentence
a petty argument about grammar
My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.
Recent Examples on the Web
For Barker, though, the run wasn’t about petty competition — surely not with me or anyone, really, other than himself.
—
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 9 July 2024
Or, in this case, about science and not the petty problems of earthlings.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 July 2024
And sometimes this violence comes out of petty arguments.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 9 July 2024
The series stuffs her brief starring turn in the English monarchy with enough romance and intrigue and excitement to fill several lifetimes, and makes the fitfully funny point that the elites of 500 years ago might have been just as silly or raunchy or petty as any of us are now.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for petty 
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 9 July 2024
Or, in this case, about science and not the petty problems of earthlings.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 July 2024
And sometimes this violence comes out of petty arguments.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 9 July 2024
The series stuffs her brief starring turn in the English monarchy with enough romance and intrigue and excitement to fill several lifetimes, and makes the fitfully funny point that the elites of 500 years ago might have been just as silly or raunchy or petty as any of us are now.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for petty
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'petty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near petty
Cite this Entry
“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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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