as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
I do not appreciate your petulance and eagerness to argue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
When their spouses don’t contribute, women can experience burnout, irritability and a deep, quiet resentment — not just toward the demands of work and family, but toward the relationship itself.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Acute toxicity can also include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, irritability and abdominal pain.—
April Rubin,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Workplace Bully Forget the Hollywood version — the red-faced screamer, the open aggression bully.—
Jason Walker PsyD,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
That means reducing aggression, agitation, and sleep disturbances.—
Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petulance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulance. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share