WordValepetulant
childishly sulky or bad-tempered
In more detail
1. (adjective) easily annoyed or irritated, especially about unimportant things; childishly bad-tempered
Examples
- 1. The petulant child threw a tantrum when he didn't get his favorite toy.
How to use petulant
Petulant describes someone who is easily annoyed or upset, typically over minor matters, and often implies a childish or sulky quality to their irritation. It is more specific and critical than general irritability, suggesting not just bad temper but a whining or complaining quality. The word is commonly used to characterize emotional responses that seem disproportionate to their cause.
Common phrases
- petulant child
- petulant tone
- petulant mood
- petulant complaint
- petulant behavior
Synonyms
petty · irritable · peevish · querulous · testy
Opposites
patient · calm · good-natured
Word family
petulantly (adverb) · petulance (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse petulant with pertinent (relevant); note the different vowels and meanings entirely.
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