1
as in small
not broad or open in views or opinions
a petty little town that was not ethnically diverse and very happy about the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention
obsessed over even petty problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of petty
The conversations on the House floor in January 2023 offer a view into the inner workings of and petty feuds in Congress that are seldom seen by the public.
—
Zak Hudak, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Aegon, dragged out of King’s Landing by spymaster Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) in an effort to save him from the fratricidal Aemond, gets an up-close look at the petty tyrants who have sprouted up in the countryside thanks to his impetuous rule.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2026
Got the scoop on a petty feud that’s going to somehow fundamentally reshape the entire field of frontier AI development?
—Tina Nguyen, The Verge, 17 June 2026
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for petty
Zak Hudak, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Aegon, dragged out of King’s Landing by spymaster Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) in an effort to save him from the fratricidal Aemond, gets an up-close look at the petty tyrants who have sprouted up in the countryside thanks to his impetuous rule.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2026
Got the scoop on a petty feud that’s going to somehow fundamentally reshape the entire field of frontier AI development?
—Tina Nguyen, The Verge, 17 June 2026
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for petty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petty
Adjective
-
After selling baklava at the Stock Show, the Unlus rented their first resraurant space in a small Eighth Avenue food hall.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
-
The Virgo moon asks you to focus on the small tasks.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Tyumen refinery, one of the country's most modern and complex, has a nominal capacity of around 8 million metric tons per year.—
Ron Popeski,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
-
Self-park options are available for overnight guests for a nominal fee, and the hotel is dog-friendly (no additional fee).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
In the most parochial place that ever was or ever will be, authenticity functions as a means of psychic gatekeeping, and someone who doesn’t speak the lingua Francona isn’t someone who’s worth listening to when the game’s on.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
12 June 2026
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Of course, the ever-parochial instincts of Chicago, where neighborhood loyalties rule and aldermen are fiercely protective of their ward domains, means the decision on the location of any future Leo landmark could be contentious.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Emmys’ producers passing up on even the slightest possibility of a Werner Herzog acceptance speech is sheer lunacy.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
20 June 2026
-
The team has improved so much that its 1-1 draw against powerhouse Brazil was a slight disappointment.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The narrow win pushed Morocco into first place in Group C, all but securing a spot in the knockout rounds for the 2022 World Cup semifinalists.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
-
Just outside downtown, this narrow stretch of former warehouses is now lined with markets, mom-and-pop shops and restaurants that spill onto the sidewalks all summer long.—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
These statements are not trivial.—
Susan Madsen,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
My polite reply to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a trivial note.—
Daniel Ruetenik,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
There, officers found the little girl with severe, life-threatening injuries.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
-
Contrary to popular belief, the central bank has little influence over home loan rates.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
In less trifling hands, there’s no telling what these tools could do, are doing now.—
CHRIS COLIN,
Wired News,
18 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, that global temperature record that DiCaprio mentioned in his acceptance speech in 2016 seems almost trifling compared to what has happened since.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petty. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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