as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems
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Recent Examples of petulant
Juvenile bliss had long contoured this abrasive band, whose songs rattled like playgrounds, and whose shouts rang like the peals of petulant children.
—
Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026
An emotionally unhinged, lewd, and petulant wreck.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 16 Mar. 2026
Among critics and in press circles, Wahlberg is a bit of a tarnished superstar after that petulant display, but audiences still love their Jack Dawson.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Russell Crowe, 'Gladiator’ (2001) Crowe's Roman warrior Maximus, a general banished to slavery thanks to a petulant young emperor (Joaquin Phoenix) who rises back to glory, is a throwback to old-school Hollywood action heroes that still works.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for petulant
Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026
An emotionally unhinged, lewd, and petulant wreck.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 16 Mar. 2026
Among critics and in press circles, Wahlberg is a bit of a tarnished superstar after that petulant display, but audiences still love their Jack Dawson.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Russell Crowe, 'Gladiator’ (2001) Crowe's Roman warrior Maximus, a general banished to slavery thanks to a petulant young emperor (Joaquin Phoenix) who rises back to glory, is a throwback to old-school Hollywood action heroes that still works.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for petulant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulant
Adjective
-
Perhaps through feeling more irritable, more anxious, or wanting to isolate.—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Had my symptoms maybe been put down to irritable bowel, for example, that could’ve been ongoing and ongoing and ongoing for a much longer period of time.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Expect fiery cocktails and spicy bites — plus a few surprise DJ sets for a daytime experience that's as much about the vibe as the drink in your hand.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Your 3rd House of Debate surges as fiery Mars arrives, pushing you to say the important thing plainly — and to move on it soon.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulant. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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