as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
I do not appreciate your petulance and eagerness to argue
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Recent Examples of petulance
So there’s a feeling of vindictiveness and petulance that’s in there, but there’s also a practicality to it, too.
—
Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
In an obvious display of childish petulance, a significant number of Democratic representatives in Texas abandoned their jobs and responsibilities to the voters by fleeing to Illinois.
—For The Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 11 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
The synths sound terrible now, and the petulance is creeping in, which does him no favors.
—Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
In an obvious display of childish petulance, a significant number of Democratic representatives in Texas abandoned their jobs and responsibilities to the voters by fleeing to Illinois.
—For The Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 11 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
The synths sound terrible now, and the petulance is creeping in, which does him no favors.
—Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulance
Noun
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Psychiatric and emotional effects of OSA can also be associated with cognitive decline, and may include irritability, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
9 Feb. 2026
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Researchers studied childhood concussions in patients aged 6 months to about 6 years and found that while most of the children recovered from their symptoms, such as dizziness, irritability, and headaches, within a few weeks, 28% continued to have symptoms a month after their injury.—
Jillian Pretzel,
Parents,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Armia, also signed over the summer, has been as advertised, bringing aggression, energy and a serious threat to score shorthanded.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
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With Russia and Belarus officially banned, and the games taking place in Europe, there will likely be significant diplomatic attention on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.—
Samuel Sanders,
Time,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petulance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulance. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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