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
True, its narrative was hard to follow, its dialogue abstruse, but why the petulance?
—
Peter Bart, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
So there’s a feeling of vindictiveness and petulance that’s in there, but there’s also a practicality to it, too.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
In an obvious display of childish petulance, a significant number of Democratic representatives in Texas abandoned their jobs and responsibilities to the voters by fleeing to Illinois.
—For The Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2025
Jimmy Butler did not have to consider the fallout of petulance because he already was known as petulant.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Peter Bart, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
So there’s a feeling of vindictiveness and petulance that’s in there, but there’s also a practicality to it, too.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
In an obvious display of childish petulance, a significant number of Democratic representatives in Texas abandoned their jobs and responsibilities to the voters by fleeing to Illinois.
—For The Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2025
Jimmy Butler did not have to consider the fallout of petulance because he already was known as petulant.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulance
Noun
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Sleep also plays a major role in emotional regulation and cognitive performance as insufficient sleep can impair attention, decision-making and reaction time while also increasing irritability and sensitivity to stress.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
1 Mar. 2026
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With withdrawal, adolescents can suffer greater anxiety and irritability.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His aggression led to him getting six attempts at the free-throw line.—
Dan Rios,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Smog-forming emissions can interfere with insect communication by breaking down pheromones, causing ant colonies to exhibit aggression toward their own members and neglect their larvae.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petulance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulance. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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