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
The Julio Torres of TV and movies and sketch comedy and stand-up is an adorable idiot, a stubborn, often petulant child with insights that elude adults.
—
Adam Moss, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
At her very best, Emily behaves like a petulant pre-adolescent spoiled imp.
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
The two major parties fight for control like petulant children wrestling over a television remote.
—Stu Strumwasser, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
And then in Season 2, that petulant child is ready to quit and throw a hissy fit.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for petulant
Adam Moss, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
At her very best, Emily behaves like a petulant pre-adolescent spoiled imp.
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
The two major parties fight for control like petulant children wrestling over a television remote.
—Stu Strumwasser, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
And then in Season 2, that petulant child is ready to quit and throw a hissy fit.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for petulant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulant
Adjective
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But Maguire, now 43, became sad and irritable, and didn’t want to be around his newborn.—
Keith Wagstaff,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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Additionally, Owens' youngest child, Titus, who was just a toddler when his mother died, was confused, irritable and inconsolable in the weeks after her death, Dias shared.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Video of the crash shared with the Statesman showed the airplanes colliding, spinning together and crashing to the ground in a fiery explosion.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
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During his interview with The New York Times after his ouster, Pelley provided some context for his fiery statements directed at Bilton during that tumultuous all-hands meeting.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulant. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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