Synonyms
Example Sentences
Aj Willingham, CNN, 31 May 2023
Once licensed, stores would charge sales tax plus a 10% cannabis tax. Minnesotans who have been convicted of misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor possession would also get their records automatically expunged.
—Trisha Ahmed, Fortune, 30 May 2023
Jordan was also a very petty and vindictive player who constantly criticized his teammates throughout his career.
—oregonlive, 27 May 2023
When Kendall responds, dissociating from his petty vulgarity and delivering a stirringly grandiose defense of greed and gluttony, the crowd cheers.
—Phillip Maciak, The New Republic, 26 May 2023
The broad uprising against him comes not from a sense of noble resistance against a petty, vindictive, unstable leader, but rather a chance to rise above everyone else.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 May 2023
They are seen as complicit in their decline, petty criminals and a public nuisance.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2023
But while shocking, the deadly dispute between neighbors was by no means unique in recent weeks, when guns have been used to end petty grievances: Knocking on a stranger’s door.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2023
But what do petty money worries mean to Apple, which agreed to ante up for the version Scorsese and DiCaprio are determined to make?
—Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2023
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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.
Word History
Middle English pety small, minor, alteration of petit
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing petty
Dictionary Entries Near petty
Cite this Entry
“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
petty
adjective
Middle English pety "small, minor," an altered form of petit (same meaning), from early French petit "small"
Legal Definition
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on petty
Nglish: Translation of petty for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of petty for Arabic Speakers
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