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
Democrats amp up infighting and 'unhinged petulance' as approval rating plummets
Trump is openly defying court orders.
—
Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Olivero’s riveting performance mingles entitled teenage petulance with darker reserves of rage, all crammed behind a feline mean-girl demeanor.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
There was one flare-up of petulance with 6:53 left in the game.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 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
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Olivero’s riveting performance mingles entitled teenage petulance with darker reserves of rage, all crammed behind a feline mean-girl demeanor.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
There was one flare-up of petulance with 6:53 left in the game.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 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
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulance
Noun
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Negative symptoms may include irritability, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, sleepiness, breathing problems, heart attacks, kidney failure and muscle damage, according to the CDC.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
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Does your child mock emotions, roll his eyes at equality, or show an uptick in irritability toward female teachers, or even you?—
Samantha Mann,
Parents,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Workplace Bully Forget the Hollywood version — the red-faced screamer, the open aggression bully.—
Jason Walker PsyD,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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That means reducing aggression, agitation, and sleep disturbances.—
Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petulance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulance. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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