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
While Jean Seberg once imbued Cécile with girlish petulance, McInerny gives the role an electric charge of ambivalence.
—
Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Seeing Green Day live is kind of brat, the petulance of Armstrong’s early years well in line with what Charli tries to do now.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2025
But that all changed after a bout of petulance during a Premier League game against Blackburn Rovers in the final midweek of that season.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Perhaps Kevin Love, who had served as a locker-room (and social-media) buffer during the worst of times over Butler’s six weeks of Heat-ed petulance this season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Seeing Green Day live is kind of brat, the petulance of Armstrong’s early years well in line with what Charli tries to do now.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2025
But that all changed after a bout of petulance during a Premier League game against Blackburn Rovers in the final midweek of that season.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Perhaps Kevin Love, who had served as a locker-room (and social-media) buffer during the worst of times over Butler’s six weeks of Heat-ed petulance this season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulance
Noun
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Any noise, lights or screens would cause John to experience headaches, dizziness, irritability, and overwhelm.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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Perpetual daylight has its downside, disrupting sleep, leading to irritability – and worse.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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On the other hand, a sales executive role emphasizes influence and communication, making manipulative tactics, aggression and toxic humor as more concerning.—
Darrin Lipscomb,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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The statistics — more passes, more involvement in build-up, better aerial aggression — reinforce what the eye test shows.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petulance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulance. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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