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
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
The synths sound terrible now, and the petulance is creeping in, which does him no favors.
—Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
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
The synths sound terrible now, and the petulance is creeping in, which does him no favors.
—Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulance
Noun
-
Stress may show up later as irritability, withdrawal, errors, or decision paralysis.—
Paula Davis,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Watch for warning signs such as pale or reddened skin, shivering, irritability or tiredness.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the public mind, weakness invited aggression.—
Dustin Olson,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Moreover, America is already committed to defending Greenland against aggression via Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.—
Peter Juul Tribune News Service,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petulance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulance. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
