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 His petty defamers shamefully cast it as a partisan attack on Mr. Obama. — Ron Dermer, WSJ, 11 June 2021 The page was created Aug. 29, 2019 after members of other local groups suggested that Cumberland’s silliest and most petty commenters take their act away from serious discussions. — BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2021 The events in San Antonio and Asheboro revealed petty officials more concerned with protocols than their students’ joy. — Elaine Ayala, San Antonio Express-News, 9 June 2021 That effectively set a $2,500 threshold to forfeit property, which in turn deterred agencies from petty-ante seizures. — Nick Sibilla, Forbes, 8 June 2021 But this insistence on equity extends far beyond insulting slights and petty comments. — Sadiya Ansari, refinery29.com, 31 May 2021 The corruption ranges from petty bribes to a complex Ponzi scheme where many politicians have a stake in banks that provided loans to the state at sky high interest rates to rebuild Lebanon’s infrastructure after the civil war. — Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, 28 May 2021 From there, Patience has a lovely time foiling heists and enacting petty revenge against people who have slighted her, including Hedare. — Muna Mire, Vulture, 26 May 2021 Cruella is never more galvanizing than its petty tit-for-tat and power-wrangling. — K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 26 May 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.