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
But there has always been a playfulness to Dončić, an awareness of pleasure, even in his most petulant moments.
—
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2025
One skeptical spectator who leaves in disgust suffers an accident while driving away, presumably caused by the petulant master’s psychic powers.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 3 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
Ramsey’s Ellie is more petulant, abrasive, and reckless compared to Ashley Johnson’s original performance of the character.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulant
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2025
One skeptical spectator who leaves in disgust suffers an accident while driving away, presumably caused by the petulant master’s psychic powers.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 3 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
Ramsey’s Ellie is more petulant, abrasive, and reckless compared to Ashley Johnson’s original performance of the character.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulant
Adjective
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However, the Moon is at odds with Mars, encouraging grumpy and irritable reactions.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
15 Oct. 2025
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However, such symptoms are hard to attribute to vaccines because infants can be irritable or fussy regardless of vaccination.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The model was a vision on the runway in a fiery red lingerie set, complete with a long train.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
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Stanley, Simmons and Criss were dismayed by his appearance but sufficiently impressed with his fiery lead guitar work, and he was invited to join a few weeks later.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulant. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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