petulance

noun

pet·​u·​lance ˈpe-chə-lən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being petulant : peevishness

Synonyms of petulance

• irritability
• irritableness
• aggression

Examples of petulance in a Sentence

I do not appreciate your petulance and eagerness to argue.

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump’s petulance, meanness, and willingness to punish a religious institution for its Church’s moral witness is a warning to every faith community in America. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026

Sure, the Oscar-winning makeup helps transform the actor into Cheney, but the voice and petulance are all Bale, whose conjuring of this scoundrel ought to trigger PTSD for anyone who survived the Dubya years. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026

Warren deserves kudos for bucking the trend of petulance exhibited by too many Democrats that night. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026

Florida has had enough of pettiness, politic stunts and petulance. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French petulance "impudence, boldness, effrontery," borrowed from Latin petulantia, derivative of petulant-, petulans "impudent, self-assertive" — more at petulant

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

petulance

noun

pet·​u·​lance ˈpech-ə-lən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being petulant