Synonyms of petulant

petulant

adjective

ˈpe-chə-lənt 

as in irritable

easily irritated or annoyed

a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irritable
• fiery
• peevish
• irascible
• snappish
• grumpy
• waspish
• crotchety
• grouchy
• snarky
• pettish
• testy
• crabby
• choleric
• passionate
• snippy
• cranky
• raspy
• cross
• short-tempered
• out of humor
• out of sorts
• stuffy
• sensitive
• perverse
• querulous
• quick-tempered
• prickly
• belligerent
• ratty
• cantankerous
• ornery
• surly
• snippety
• bilious
• curmudgeonly
• dyspeptic
• short
• snarly
• fretful
• disagreeable
• pugnacious
• bellicose
• contentious
• combative
• sulky
• pouty
• truculent
• snappy
• sullen
• ill-tempered
• argumentative
• quarrelsome
• fractious
• tetchy
• ill-humored
• ill-natured
• huffy
• scrappy
• disputatious
• cross-grained
• bearish
• thin-skinned
• off-color
• touchy
• hot-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• friendly
• affable
• outgoing
• cordial
• gregarious
• genial
• amiable
• sweet
• extroverted
• companionable
• sociable
• good-natured
• agreeable
• carefree
• easygoing
• good-tempered
• patient
• relaxed
• stoic
• tolerant
• well-disposed
• long-suffering
• uncomplaining
• forbearing
• understanding
• obliging
• happy-go-lucky

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of petulant

Lou Reed modeled the sort of petulant sing-talking that characterizes her verses. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

But while Argentina was being petty and petulant, Spain was practically perfect in every way. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Tom Holland comes across as a vulnerable princeling without being petulant or drippy. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Not to mention battling nerds, LARPers, and a particularly petulant McPoyle clan at the Renaissance Faire or sportswashing their way back into the good graces of their community by sponsoring a Little League team. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 15 July 2026

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