as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
I do not appreciate your petulance and eagerness to argue
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of petulance
Perhaps Kevin Love, who had served as a locker-room (and social-media) buffer during the worst of times over Butler’s six weeks of Heat-ed petulance this season.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
But the nearly invisible surveillance-style approach to capturing the survivalists seems to help both them and their pit crews (who must live and sleep at HQ) forget that they will be broadcast on national TV, allowing for some raw moments of petulance, fear, and questionable choices.
—Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
And Monday night’s show of frustration and occasional petulance at Stamford Bridge was precisely the kind of example Pereira does not need from a player supposed to set an example for others to follow.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Oh, the petulance, the bristling, the gnashing of teeth.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
But the nearly invisible surveillance-style approach to capturing the survivalists seems to help both them and their pit crews (who must live and sleep at HQ) forget that they will be broadcast on national TV, allowing for some raw moments of petulance, fear, and questionable choices.
—Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
And Monday night’s show of frustration and occasional petulance at Stamford Bridge was precisely the kind of example Pereira does not need from a player supposed to set an example for others to follow.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Oh, the petulance, the bristling, the gnashing of teeth.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulance
Noun
-
How wildfire smoke can endanger your health Inhaling smoke can result in a variety of ailments, from minor irritability to more serious problems like respiratory and cardiovascular disorders.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
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Hunger and fatigue can often amplify irritability for many, making patience even harder to maintain.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
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The Ukrainian president conceded that momentum for the Coalition of the Willing, a group of 31 countries that have pledged to strengthen support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, has slowed because of U.S. ambivalence over providing a backstop.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
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These movements share essential elements: disdain for pluralism and diversity, fetishization of leadership, order and aggression, dismissal of the rule of law, and aversion to accountability.—
Elisa Manfredini,
Time,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petulance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulance. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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