as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
I do not appreciate your petulance and eagerness to argue
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of petulance
Democrats amp up infighting and 'unhinged petulance' as approval rating plummets
Trump is openly defying court orders.
—
Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Olivero’s riveting performance mingles entitled teenage petulance with darker reserves of rage, all crammed behind a feline mean-girl demeanor.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
There was one flare-up of petulance with 6:53 left in the game.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025
And Monday night’s show of frustration and occasional petulance at Stamford Bridge was precisely the kind of example Pereira does not need from a player supposed to set an example for others to follow.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Olivero’s riveting performance mingles entitled teenage petulance with darker reserves of rage, all crammed behind a feline mean-girl demeanor.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
There was one flare-up of petulance with 6:53 left in the game.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025
And Monday night’s show of frustration and occasional petulance at Stamford Bridge was precisely the kind of example Pereira does not need from a player supposed to set an example for others to follow.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulance
Noun
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Sleeplessness: Lack of sleep can increase irritability.—
Christopher Bergland,
Verywell Health,
24 Apr. 2025
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The result is that even a single night of drinking can lead to daytime fatigue, poor concentration and irritability.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Russian president has unilaterally declared a three-day ceasefire over the course of the Victory Day celebrations, which will be a key propaganda event for the Kremlin in light of its aggression in Ukraine.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
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The early stages of the war revealed how a lack of preparedness left many nations vulnerable to aggression.—
Lt. General Leon Scott Rice,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petulance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulance. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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